[Matt]

Updates:

Cheryl Cole was dropped from the judging panel on "X-Factor" largely because producers were concerned her English accent would be too difficult for an American audience to understand ... sources close to the production tell TMZ.

There were other issues too -- we're told Cheryl and fellow judge Paula Abdul had a "lack of chemistry" ... and Cheryl was more expendable.

Producers now want Cheryl to return to the UK version of the show -- but according to sources, Cheryl's royally pissed over how this situation was handled ... and may sever ties with "X-Factor" entirely.

With Cheryl out, Steve Jones will be the only host on the show -- which debuts in September -- while Nicole Scherzinger fills the open seat on the judging panel.

Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/05/25/x-fact...-simon-cowell/

A senior X Factor source said tonight: "It hasn't worked out for Cheryl. She is homesick and wants to return to the UK. She's had enough.

"Whether she goes back to British X Factor is open to speculation."

A TV insider revealed: "This will be a huge blow to Cheryl.

"The saga of whether she would get the gig dragged on for so long - and then to be pulled after a few recordings would be awful.

"It would be a blow to Simon too. He spent so long choosing the panel he would have wanted to get it right first time."

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-X-Factor.html


Doesn't appear to be any official word yet, but it's most likely true - TMZ has a history of breaking big stories including the death of Michael Jackson