There had been suspicions for a while, now it’s confirmed.
With The X Factor’s rating having fallen dramatically last year, it is being reported that Simon Cowell is hoping to bring in a ringer to get viewers back.
Following reports last year that she would return in a deal worth £1.5 million, Dermot O’Leary has revealed to The Metro that the judge in question will likely be none other than Cheryl.
The 44-year-old presenter, said: “Cheryl’s going to come back.”
She hasn’t been a full-time participant since 2015, however she did make a cameo at Simon Cowell’s judges houses last year.
He added: “If it wasn’t Cheryl, I would love Mariah. It would be a whole new world of crazy my friend!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRwMmbfhB2t/?hl=en&taken-by=cherylofficial
A stumbling block to the former Girls Aloud singer’s comeback had thought to be her running feud with fellow judge Louis Walsh, but it is now hoped the two of them will bury the hatchet for the good of the show’s existence.
Louis told The Sun: “If Cheryl comes back that’s fine. Look, we would agree to disagree on certain things but that’s what makes it good. We all get on.
However, he has admitted he would prefer Nicole Scherzinger to remain on the panel.
He added: “Nicole is my favourite because of her work ethic. She just gets into it and you never know what she’s going to say, do or wear.
“That’s why I love her because she brings a whole new energy to it.”
But, given Dermot’s comments, it now looks like Cheryl is a banker for later this year.