Cheryl Cole 'Will Be Only Woman On The X Factor Panel'
Cheryl Cole will only return to the X Factor UK if she is the only woman on the judging panel, The Daily Star claims.
The tabloid reports that the Girls Aloud star has told ITV bosses that she will only make her comeback if she's the sole female, with rumours suggesting that Louis Walsh will join herself and Simon Cowell on the show.
A source is quoted as saying; "If Cheryl does come back as planned, she will be the only woman on the panel. That's how she wanted it and at this moment she seems to be calling the shots.
"They're still finalising the other details but Cheryl made it clear she didn't want to be pitched against another female again."
Cole is said to have been offered a cool £2million to make her return, with former contestant and Xtra Factor host Olly Murs strongly linked to a seat on the panel. Lionel Ritchie's name has also been thrown in the mix.
The insider added: "Olly is practically a surefire bet. But Simon could also surprise everyone by signing up legend Lionel.
"They're pals and last year's contestants even moved into the crooner's old house for the duration of the show."
After apparently suggesting that Chezza would be "crazy" to turn down X Factor, Cowell has also joked that the gorgeous Geordie is "going to kill" him after seeing musical I Can't Sing - which is based on the talent show.
It is thought one of the characters in a parody of Cole, with SiCo telling The Sunday Times' Culture supplement: "Cheryl is going to kill me when she sees it. I mean, seriously, I'm going to get it in the neck."
However, Chezza will have to wait a bit longer to watch the musical - which has been penned by Harry Hill - as it was announced yesterday that the preview nights have been postponed.
The West End production was due to start on Thursday (February 27), but has now been pushed back to Saturday (March 1), with a statement adding: "This is not a decision taken lightly and I'd like to apologise to those who had booked, and indeed sold out, these initial two performances."