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X Factor boss Simon Cowell has hinted at a possible return for Cheryl Cole on next year’s panel.


The UK show is definitely set to see another revamp, with both Gary Barlow and Sharon Obsourne having already both confirmed they’ve left.

And Nicole Scherzinger is said to be “unlikely” to be returning, focusing on a new album, which leaves just Louis Walsh on the show at the moment.

Speaking to Radio LBC, Simon repeated previous comments about wanting to work with Cheryl on the show again.

“She was a really, really good judge. I mean, she took what she did seriously,” he said. “She used to phone me almost every night – one, two, three o’clock in the morning, talking about songs and what she should be doing.

“That’s the kind of judge you want to be working with on these shows, because they really care.

“I hope we’re going to get the chance to work together,.”

Simon added: “We have to find a way because we had a lot of fun.

There’s been much speculation over a return for Cheryl even before this series had finished, but her spokesperson insisted earlier this month that no talks had taken place.

But Cheryl’s move to Modest Management, who look after multiple X Factor acts including One Direction, has brought her closer to Simon.

“She’s just in a great place,” he explained. “She looks great and the album she’s making is really good.”