Cheryl Cole 'dropped' from US X Factor

Cheryl Cole's American adventure appears to be over only weeks after it began with reports that the singer has been dropped from the US version of The X Factor.

The 27-year-old singer's place on the show - which debuts in September - is likely to be taken by ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, according to reports.

Celebrity website TMZ said Cole was dropped from the judging panel because producers feared the American audience would not understand her Geordie accent.

There were also concerns the Girls Aloud star, whose place on the show was only confirmed on May 5, had a "lack of chemistry" with fellow X Factor judge Paula Abdul, the US website said.

Representatives of Cole and the show's production team and broadcaster ITV have declined to comment.

The news will be seen as a blow for Simon Cowell who lobbied US television executives on Cole's behalf.

The X Factor supremo has previously said he showed a video clip of Cole to Fox bosses two years ago in a bid to persuade them to bring her on board.

The Sun reported Cole was quitting the programme because she was missing friends and family in Britain.

The paper quoted a source on the show saying: "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."

Scherzinger, 32, was originally due to host the US X Factor alongside Welsh ex-T4 presenter Steve Jones.

Dannii Minogue, who was recently dropped as a judge on the UK show, told Twitter followers: "Judging roles should come with a life jacket, drop down oxygen and a life raft!"

Designer Julien Macdonald said Cole had told him a few days ago she was "having the time of her life" in the United States.

Speaking on the ITV1 show Lorraine, he said he thought the announcement was a publicity stunt.

He said: "Well, I was speaking to Cheryl a few days ago, and when I spoke to her from America she was really happy, she was having the time of her life. So I think it's a bit of a media blah to get press for the X Factor."

The singer had previously laughed off concerns Americans would not understand her accent, saying: "I've been here a lot, I've got a lot of American friends and we have the odd moments where they're like, 'What? What did that mean?' - you know, a phrase.

"But I think that it's going to be something that people get used to. And I'm proud of my accent."