(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Cheryl Cole will be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger as a US X Factor judge, it has been reported.

The British songstress had already begun work on the audition process alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid as they searched for talent to appear in the new American edition of the music talent competition.

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole was set to co-host the show, which is due to air this September, alongside British presenter Steve Jones, although reports now claim Cheryl no longer has a role on the panel.

Website TMZ claims sources tell them Nicole will be replacing Cheryl, and that producers hope Cheryl will return to the UK edition of the programme where she was a judge for three years. Sources suggest the programme's makers had been worried Cheryl's regional British accent would be hard for US viewers to understand.

A senior show source has explained to British newspaper The Sun that Cheryl missing Britain was also a contributing factor.

"It hasn't worked out. She's homesick and wants to return to the UK. She's had enough. Whether she ends up back on UK X Factor is open to speculation," said the source.

Cheryl is close to music mogul Simon, who created the show, and worked with him during her stint on the UK's edition. It has been suggested the decision for the singer to leave has nothing to do with him.

"It's true. She isn't on the show anymore. Everyone is gobsmacked. This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countless times. Simon had nothing to do with it. This is the network's doing," a source told Us Weekly.

Representatives for Cheryl have not commented on the reports. (C) Cover Media