[Arneldo]

Cheryl Tweedy has stunned ITV chiefs by turning down an offer to appear on the next series of X Factor.

The Girls Aloud singer was approached to join the judging panel as a replacement for Louis Walsh, who has been axed as part of a major shake-up of the talent contest, but Tweedy thought that the job would be "too much pressure".

An ITV source told the News of the World: "Cheryl is totally bonkers. We don't know what planet she's on. Being the sexy female judge would have opened so many doors for her because Simon [Cowell] is the man with the Midas touch. There was even the possibility that she could do shows in the States using Simon's contacts."

DJ Chris Moyles, American Idol's Paul Abdul and former Spice Girl Mel B are amongst the names being rumoured to replace Walsh.

and...

X Factor winner Leona Lewis is being lined up as a judge for the show, according to a report today.

Producers apparently believe that hiring the 21-year-old singer to coach a new bunch of contestants would be a "brilliant twist".

Several names are currently being rumoured for the fourth series of the talent contest following the decision to axe Louis Walsh from the judging panel.

A source told the Daily Star: "There are a number of names in the frame to replace Louis, and Leona is one of them. There's been talk of getting in an American, like Jessica Simpson, but she's not so big over here.

"Leona's a much bigger name in the UK and to have her as a judge on the show she won in such style the year before is a real rags-to-riches story. She knows what it's like to appear in front of judges. Leona could add some insight into what makes these people tick. Executives felt it was time to inject some fresh, young blood - and she could be just perfect."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/