Scherzinger to replace Cole on UK 'X Factor'?

Nicole Scherzinger has been tipped to directly replace Cheryl Cole on the UK version of The X Factor.

A source has told M is for Music that Cole is now "a certainty" for the US port of the reality talent contest and that Scherzinger will take her spot on the UK panel.

"Nicole would much rather judge on the UK show considering how well her solo career is doing in Britain and the fact that [F1 driver boyfriend] Lewis [Hamilton] lives here," they claimed.

"Nicole loves the fact that the UK public are so keen to take people to their hearts like they did with Cheryl and she doubts she would have the same amount of support on the American series. It would be the perfect opportunity to fill Cheryl's shoes and become a national treasure."

Scherzinger herself recently suggested that she would prefer to move into musical theatre rather than take up a permanent role on the show she guest judged last year.

She claimed: "X Factor is hot, but for me Andrew Lloyd Webber is the foundation. He's where it all began. He's a legend. He's more theatrical."

However, she also admitted: "There's so much speculation going on about me doing the UK X Factor and the US one. It would be an honour if they would ask me to be a part of any of the shows."