Cheryl Cole's dreams of judging the US version of Girls Aloud star was being closely observed by American TV bosses, to see whether she could cut it as a judge Stateside when Nicole Scherzinger, who already proved a hit as a guest judge on the UK show.

SEE MORE PICS OF CHERYL COLE IN MTV'S GALLERY HERE!

They added: "I would be very shocked if Cheryl landed the job. It’s looking more and more likely it will be Nicole. The simple fact is US telly fans have never heard of Cheryl. And the backlash over Sunday’s results won’t have done her any favours.”