Cheryl Cole is reported to be delaying a decision on returning to The X Factor - because she had such a bad time on her last year on the show.

The Mirror claims that Chezza's painful memories of her divorce from Ashley Cole and being in hospital with malaria back in 2010 are mixed up with the show in her head.

"She's not sure whether taking the job is the right thing. Cheryl associates her last season there with a really hard time in her life and that's her biggest mental hurdle," a friend reportedly told the paper.

"It was when she was going through her divorce and had just had malaria. Although she loves the show, that season was really intense and hard work with her finalists.

"Cheryl is in a good place – the best she's ever been. Simon is after her but she's having to do some real soul-searching to see if she really wants to throw herself back into the spotlight."

Simon Cowell is reportedly keen to get Chezza back on the judging panel along with himself - and possibly Dannii Minogue.

But the paper's source claimed that Cheryl is not simply holding out for more money.

"This is not about the salary. This is about Cheryl making the right choice for her and her happiness."