Cheryl Cole Out at ‘X Factor’; Replaced by American Cheryl Cole

Although Fox has yet to confirm it, various sources are saying that Cheryl Cole is out as a judge on the American “X Factor,” and that she’ll be replaced with Nicole Scherzinger, the Pussycat Doll/”Dancing with the Stars” champ who was originally signed to be the show’s co-host (Scherzinger has been a guest judge on the British “X Factor”). But it’s unclear whether Cole quit or got fired:

The Geordie beauty, 27, is homesick and it is thought her place will be taken by former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. A senior show source said: “It hasn’t worked out. She’s homesick and wants to return to the UK. She’s had enough.” [The Sun]

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. [TMZ]

Neither one of those explanations makes any sense. Cheryl wants to be super-famous and America is way better than England, so that homesick thing is crap. At the same time, it’s B.S. to fire her for her accent when Paula Abdul is slurring her way through another round of auditions. If anything, they should fire Paula and have Nicole and Cheryl sit next to each other at the judges table. And then they should make out.