Cheryl is set to replace Nicole Scherzinger as a judge on The X Factor next year, according to reports.
The former Girls Aloud star, who welcomed her first child back in March, is reportedly close to agreeing to a £1.5million deal – in a bid to revive the ITV talent show, which has been suffering in the ratings war.
A show source told The Sun, “It looks like Cheryl will be back next year. Simon knows Nicole is likely to leave and he wants a big name, and some much-needed glamour on the panel.
“He knows he will get that with Cheryl and she would be a really popular signing and a huge hit.”
“Simon has had his own problems lately but has been really keen to get the deal nailed down. He is a huge fan of hers and has been turning on the charm to ensure she comes back.
“They have had several meetings about it and Simon has had his top people on the case to make sure it is all sorted.”
The news comes two weeks after the 34-year-old delighted viewers as she acted as Simon Cowell’s guest judge at Judge’s House.
Fuelling speculation, ex-Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole is the only judge that hasn’t signed up for next year’s series, and recently said that she is “incredibly ambitious and still have a lot of things musically I want to achieve.”
Cheryl will reportedly join Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell, and Louis Walsh in 2018.
Although Cheryl and Louis Walsh have had their differences over the years, the source added, “Louis was a huge factor in this. He wants Cheryl back as well and agrees getting her would be a massive coup.
“It is also clear that they need someone younger on the panel when Nicole leaves. And Cheryl will bring in a more youthful audience, as well as attracting blokes to watch the show.”
The stunning brunette first appeared as an X Factor judge back in 2008, and won the show twice with Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry.
The singer quit the show in 2011, then returned for two series in 2014, before quitting again – amid the breakdown of her marriage to Jean Bernard Fernandez Versini.
Since she last appeared as a judge on the X Factor panel, Cheryl has welcomed her first child, Bear, with her One Direction star boyfriend Liam Payne.
