Cheryl Cole Either Re-Hired or Still Fired from ‘X Factor’

There have been a slew of rumors about Cheryl Cole since she was reportedly fired four days into filming the U.S. version of “The X Factor” debuting this fall. Yesterday, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Cole was offered her job back and would “likely” return, then six hours later reported that Fox and production company Fremantle would buy out Cole’s contract. So for the moment she appears to be fired, but who knows? Here’s the most recent update:

According to a high-level industry source, after engaging in some legal brinksmanship the powers behind the show have concluded that it’s best to pay Cole the reported $1.5 million she was owed under her contract and say goodbye.

The source says it was clear that the chemistry wasn’t working among the judges from the start and that Cole lacked chemistry with Paula Abdul.”There was no spark,” this source says. “It was nobody’s fault. It just didn’t work.” [THR]

Let’s clear something up: it was definitely Paula’s fault. That broad is completely useless unless you need to get rid of your pill stash. This is an abomination. I’d rather watch Cheryl Cole doing nothing than Paula Adbul doing anything.

UPDATE: Newest new-new word: According to EW’s James Hibberd, Nicole Scherzinger will replace Cole.