Simon Cowell appears to have confirmed reports that Nicole Scherzinger will not be returning to The X Factor.

We told you yesterday how Scherzy was claimed to have quit the show after apparently being sidelined in favour of Cheryl Cole and another new judge.

But her representative did later deny that, saying: "Nicole hasn’t quit the show. She is still in discussions with bosses."

However SiCo appeared to confirm the story himself when he took to Twitter yesterday evening.

He wrote: "Nicole will always be a part of the X factor family. Now signed to Sony as an artist. Thank you Nicole for everything."

Nicole will always be a part of the X factor family. Now signed to Sony as an artist. Thank you Nicole for everything.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) February 14, 2014

Which looks pretty conclusive to us.

He recently confirmed that Chezza is in talks to come back to the show - and is claimed to be seeking to sign Rita Ora as well.