Earlier today, it was confirmed that Cheryl will not be a judge on this year’s X Factor. After being a judge from 2008 until 2010 Cheryl returned to the judging panel in 2014.
According to Cheryl’s reps, she informed Simon Cowell in person of her decision, saying that she had an “amazing experience” as a judge on The X Factor. She stated: “I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon who I love to bits. I hope the show continues to produce stars and I wish them all the best”.
For the time being, Cheryl will focus on her music career. She has already started working on a new album that is set to release later this year. Simon Cowell supports her decision, saying that he and Cheryl will be working on other things together “in the near future”.
Cheryl’s departure is one in a series of X Factor changes, with Nick Grimshaw, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs already confirmed to not return to the show this year and Rita Ora’s fate still being undecided – there have been reports of The Voice and The X Factor both wanting her on this year’s season. Dermot O’Leary is set to return as the host of The X Factor this year.
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