Wooing her back! Nicole Scherzinger offered £500,000 to judge the X Factor after being dumped from the US series
By HOLLY THOMAS
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She was ditched as a judge on the US series of the X Factor after just one season.
But it appears that show supremo Simon Cowell may have plans for former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger a little closer to home.
ITV bosses will reportedly offer the 33-year-old a £500,000 contract this week to sign on as a judge alongside Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, and Louis Walsh.
Getting comfortable? Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly been offered a £500,000 contract to become a judge on the X Factor in the UK
According to The Sun it was Gary's support of Nicole which swayed the decision.
An insider told the paper: 'We are talking to Nicole about taking on the job full time. She is not the only person in the frame.'
'It's now down to money and whether she can commit to the show, which takes up most of the rest of the year.'
Tipped the balance? Gary Barlow's support was apparently pivotal in ITV bosses' decision
'She has given us positive signs, but no-one is counting their chickens after what happened with Dannii Minogue.'
Dannii pulled out of the role at the last minute, having been considered a sure bet for the job.
Nicole is clearly comfortable across the pond, and tweeted after filming auditions at London's O2 arena on Tuesday: Great day w/ @theXfactor @officialtulisa @gbarlowofficial @walshlife! We saw some amazing talent! Thanks UK for always being so kind to me! #grateful
New team? Nicole would join existing panelists Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Louis Walsh
The singer flew to London from the Riviera, where she was enjoying a post-Grand Prix holiday with her F1 driver beau Lewis Hamilton.
She posted when she arrived: 'Super excited to be back in London for @TheXFactor! Can't wait to find more unique and interesting talent!'
Apparently her enthusiasm didn't quite carry through however, as Nicole caused a stir when she apparently held up auditions by an hour getting ready.
Geri Halliwell was thought to be a shoo-in for the job, until the audience booed her for her long-winded and, at times, self-serving and patronising comments to contestants.
Didn't work out: Nicole replaced Cheryl Cole as a judge on the US X Factor, but was dropped after just one season
Show insiders told the Mail Online: ‘There’s only the smallest chance she’ll get the job full-time.’
But she won’t be judging next week’s auditions in Manchester. Instead, her ambitious former bandmate Mel B, who used to be known as Scary Spice, is to take her place. And I’m told Geri isn’t at all happy about that.
Spice wars: Mel and Geri were big rivals in the band, and now face renewing that competitive clash
Competition: Rita Ora also appearing as a guest judge
The Mail's source added: ‘Geri feels it is disloyal of Mel B. But Mel has always done what is best for Mel, and that’s why her relationship with the rest of the band is so frosty.’
ITV may now not announce their final choice — to replace axed Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland — until after the ‘boot camp’ stage in July.
Instead, they are contemplating continuing to use a rotating selection of female singers including former show winner Leona Lewis, because there is a deep divide about the right choice.
U.S. pop singer Anastacia has reportedly been added to Simon Cowell’s shortlist and is likely to be given a trial at a future day of auditions.
She is vying with up-and-coming British singer Rita Ora, who is currently favourite to secure the role permanently. The 21-year-old is described as ‘the British Rihanna’ — but there are questions about her credibility as a mentor for aspiring singers as she has only released one single herself.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2153676/Nicole-Scherzinger-offered-500-000-judge-X-Factor.html#ixzz1wg9CT6Tr