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Cheryl Cole confirms X Factor return by throttling Simon Cowell on Instagram

The former Girls Aloud singer is rumoured to have signed a 1.5m contract

Tuesday 11 March 2014 09:41 GMT

Simon Cowell has re-enlisted the help of ousted X Factor judge Cheryl Cole in a last-ditch attempt to boost flagging ratings.

The music mogul was part of the team that sensationally sacked the former Girls Aloud star from her job as a judge on The X Factor USA in 2011.

Producers cited her strong Geordie accent and her lack of charisma as the reason they let her go after she had appeared in just half an episode, claiming that the American audience had failed to understand her and hadn't warm to her.

The decision was ultimately a costly one. Not only did it ignite a very public feud between Cole and Cowell, but it also saw the singer sue production company Blue Orbit for $2.3million (£1.4million) for loss of earnings earlier this year.

In November last year, the case was settled out-of-court and an undisclosed sum was paid out to the star.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

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1/10X Factor winners: Where are they now?

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2013: Sam Bailey

The clear winner from the outset, Sam Bailey went on to beat teen singers Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald. Bailey's cover of Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' went straight to number one on 22 December 2013, becoming the first X Factor winner in three years to gain the Christmas number one spot. Her debut album is due to be released on 24 March. She is also currently pregnant with her third child.

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X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2012: James Arthur

He secured the biggest-selling X Factor winner's song ever with 'Impossible', but last year's victor James Arthur has been at the centre of controversy recently. Arthur got into a Twitter spat with fellow former contestant Lucy Spraggan when he used a homophobic lyric in a rap. The singer apologised on-air for 'abusing [his] position as an X Factor winner' after a performance on the results show a few weeks ago. Arthur's new single 'Recovery' is currently number 19 in the Official UK Singles Chart.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2011: Little Mix

Girl band Little Mix are one of The X Factor's success stories. Formerly known as Rhythmix, the group released an autobiography in August 2012 and their debut album came out that November, reaching number three. Little Mix's Perrie Edwards is engaged to One Direction's Zayn Malik which, you know, helps with the the whole fame thing. The band toured earlier this year and have enjoyed US success too. Their latest album Salute was released on 15 November.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2010: Matt Cardle

Singer-songwriter Matt Cardle performed 'Unfaithful' with Rihanna during the 2010 X Factor finals. He famously criticised Syco for being 'very pop' when he, apparently, wasn't. Shortly afterwards, he left Cowell's label. Cardle returned to the charts when his first album 'The Fire' made number eight and was well-received by critics. He recorded a duet with Spice Girl Melanie C, 'Loving You', in the summer and will be touring new album 'Porcelain' in April 2014.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2009: Joe McElderry

Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' famously beat Joe McElderry to the Christmas number one in 2009, following an internet campaign to do battle with Cowell's chart machine. McElderry's luck failed to pick up and he soon found himself winning yet another talent show, Pop Star to Opera Star. Recently, he's enjoyed some success in the classical world and appeared in several West End shows. He is signed with Universal Music's Decca label.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2008: Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke's cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' sold more than a million copies in the UK, a success she followed with five top ten singles and a hit album. Burke has been a brand ambassador for a women's deodorant and signed a modelling contract in 2010. She joined The X Factor as a guest judge during the final of the eight series. The 'Bad Boys' singer has another album out next year but it will be released on RCA records after her recent split from Simon Cowell's label.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2007: Leon Jackson

'When You Believe' became the fastest-selling single of 2007 when winner Leon Jackson released it before Christmas, but he was dropped in 2009 following poor sales. His third single 'Creative' only reached number 94 in the charts and half his tour dates were cancelled. At present, Jackson is reportedly writing a second album that he will release independently.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2006: Leona Lewis

She's The X Factor's darling and one of the only acts still with Simon Cowell's label. Leona Lewis enjoyed huge international success after winning the 2006 show and releasing her first single 'A Moment Like This'. Recently, she has struggled, with sales of her latest album 'Glassheart' down steeply from those of her debut in 2007.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2005: Shayne Ward

After his victory on the second show, Ward achieved the fourth fastest-selling UK single ever with 'That's My Goal'. Several other hits and three albums followed and at one stage, he was reportedly considered to replace Jason Orange in Take That. Ward was dropped six years later to make room for other upcoming stars on Syco's label and has since turned his hand to performing in London musical Rock of Ages with Justin Lee Collins. The Mancunian singer appeared in Dancing on Ice in January 2013 but was eliminated in the fifth round.

X Factor winners: Where are they now?

2004: Steve Brookstein

The first winner of The X Factor, Steve Brookstein scored a number one single with 'Against All Odds' but was dumped by Sony BMG just eight months afterwards for being a one-hit wonder. Since his brief success evaporated, Brookstein has performed on cruise ships and was spotted in 2010 performing in a small Cornish pub for £2.50 a ticket. Brookstein no longer appears in publicity for The X Factor and as a result, he has repeatedly hit out at both the show and Simon Cowell. He is, however, still singing, and has a new album 'Soul Journey' out in February.

Now, it seems she's prepared to forgive and forget her turbulent relationship with the pop industry powerhouse and take up her place behind the panel on The X Factor UK.

Cole confirmed the news on Instagram by posting a picture of herself affectionately throttling Cowell (as seen above).

"GUESS WHAT!!.. I'm baaaacccckkkkk!!!! #iMayActuallyRingHisNec #XFactor2014," she wrote.

Soon after, Simon Cowell also confirmed her re-employment, tweeting the following:

Tabloid reports today suggest that Cole has signed a £1.5million contract to appear on the show for just one series. However, this is yet to have been verified.

ITV bosses will certainly be hoping that the return of the pair to the judges panel will revive a lack lustre few years of viewing figures.

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Approximately 11.5 million people tuned in to watch Sam Bailey win The X Factor in December 2013, compared to the 17.7 million who turned in to see the final during Cole's last appearance in 2010.

After leaving the show for The X Factor USA, she was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger. Cole made a brief reappearance on the UK series when she assisted Gary Barlow during the Judges' Houses stage of the competition in 2012.

Cole was the winning judge in her first two series, having mentored champions Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry in 2008 and 2009. Her final year saw her finish as the runner-up with Rebecca Ferguson.

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