Scher-long! X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger 'makes the heartbreaking decision not to return for this year's show'
By TANIA WILLIS
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Just as Simon Cowell he will be returning to the judging panel for the new series of The X Factor, Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly made the decision not to make a comeback for the 2014 season.
The 35-year-old singer is said to have spent months agonising over the decision on whether or not to return to the hit ITV show, before making the 'heartbroken' choice to instead focus on her music.
A source told The Sun: 'She put her music career on hold last year but now she wants to focus on her music.'
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Sharp suited: Nicole looked sharp and stylish out in London on Wednesday
However, a spokesperson for Nicole told MailOnline that the decision has not been finalised, adding: 'Nicole is still in discussions with X Factor bosses about the show.'
The reason that Nicole is finding the choice so difficult to make is said to be the fact that she has made such a life for herself in the UK that she would find it tough to say goodbye.
A source told MailOnline: 'The reason she is agonising over this decision is because the British public made her so welcome.
'This year she made so many friends on the show and they became her family.'
Will she be back? Nicole, seen here on last year's show with Gary Barlow, has been deliberating on whether to return to the show
Superstar singer: Simon was hoping Nicole would return to the judging panel
If Nicole does decide not to do another year on the show, it is likely to come as a huge disappointment to Simon, who had been hoping she would bring her unique personality to the programme once again.
An X Factor source told MailOnline: 'Simon has been a great supporter of Nicole's throughout and is keen for her career to go strength to strength.'
Simon, who is currently expecting his first child, only revealed Cheryl Cole will return to the judging panel this week, and is hoping to evoke the same excitement as the 2010 series which saw One Direction skyrocket to fame.
Role model: Nicole won legions of fans for being a supportive mentor to acts like Hannah Barrett, pictured
The 54-year-old music mogul will return to the ITV singing competition's judging panel this year after a three-year absence and for the first time he has acknowledged that former judge Cheryl could join him.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the Britain's Got Talent auditions on Tuesday at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Simon said of his negotiations with Cheryl: 'To be fair to Cheryl, it hasn't been about the money with her.
'It's about whether she wants to do it and whether she can handle the pressure, so I'm not quite sure yet [if she will come back].'
Making a comeback? Simon Cowell has confirmed Cheryl Cole is in talks to return to The X Factor
However, it seems the X Factor creator has some work to do if he is to convince the 30-year-old beauty to return to the panel alongside him.
He added: 'She had her poker face on.'
Simon went on to compliment the songstress, with whom he has had a contentious relationship after she was axed from the US version of The X Factor in 2011.
He said of his meeting with Cheryl: 'I thought she looked and sounded the best I've seen her in years.
The X Factor USA was cancelled by FOX last week amid low ratings and Simon – who produced and judged the show for three years – has blamed the show's failure on the US TV market being too 'competitive'.
He explained: 'I don't know why any show would want to be in America right now - anyone - because it's too tough of a market. I mean, there's going to be, this year, something like 14 talent shows on American TV.
'I've got one of them with America's Got Talent, which, luckily, is just as good as everybody else's. It's become a joke.'
However, the Syco boss has no regrets about taking the show Stateside in 2011.
Small screen starlet: It seems the X Factor creator has some work to do if he is to convince the 30-year-old beauty to return to the panel alongside him
Tough times: Simon has had a contentious relationship with Cheryl after she was axed from the US version of The X Factor in 2011
He said: 'I think the artists we found last year, Alex and Sierra, are really, really good winners. That's what it's all about.
'What I didn't know was that it was going to be as competitive as it was. Having said that, it was good to take a break here and then come back again.'
And Simon is excited by the prospect of returning to The X Factor UK after the success of his last series in 2010, in which he discovered One Direction.
He enthused: 'The X Factor UK, I've always said it's kind of like my baby. I love doing the show. It has found some amazing people.
'I want to go back to where we left off in 2010 … if we do another year like that it'll be amazing.'
Opening up: Simon revealed his plans as he arrived at the Britain's Got Talent studios in London on Tuesday
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2558191/Scher-long-Nicole-Scherzinger-heartbraking-decision-not-return-UK-X-Factor.html#ixzz2tC4kBRFV
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