[Callum]

Nicole Scherzinger has negotiated a deal to become The X Factor's fourth permanent judge.

The former Pussycat Dolls singer has agreed a fee of £750,000 ($1.17 million) to take a seat at the judges' table alongside Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos, according to The Mirror.

"Nicole's management have negotiated a good deal," a programme insider claimed. "It's a great salary considering most of the auditions have already been done by special guests."

It was reported last week that she was to be offered the role permanently - with a fee of £500,000 ($777,420) touted - after impressing producers during a guest stint at the London auditions.

Scherzinger has previous experience as a judge on The X Factor USA. Originally contracted to host the show alongside Steve Jones, she soon became a judge when Cheryl Cole was axed from the panel days into filming the first series.

However, Scherzinger herself was dropped from the US version of the show at the start of the year, along with Paula Abdul. The pair were ultimately replaced with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato for the programme's forthcoming second season.

It has been speculated that a formal announcement could come ahead of the show's forthcoming auditions in Newcastle, which take place on June 18.

Thoughts?