The long and the short of it: Tulisa and Kelly opt for printed frocks on day two of X Factor auditions

By ANDREA MAGRATH

Maxi power: Kelly Rowland steps out for day two of the X Factor auditions in a long printed maxi dress and tan wedges


They dazzled and divided fans on day one of the X Factor auditions with their bold style statements.

After Kelly wowed in a neon yellow midriff top and Tulisa raised eyebrows with her polka dot jumpsuit yesterday, both opted for slightly safer looks on day two.

N-Dubz star Tulisa was first to emerge from the judges' Birmingham hotel, in a mini-dress with a neon pink print and matching heels.

The dress featured an asymmetrical hemline and peekaboo neckline trimmed in pink.

The clingy fabric showed off the 22-year-old's slim figure and long legs.

Kelly also chose a print look with a floaty maxi dress. The tan and black print matched her handbag and wedge heels.


Bright: Tulisa Contostavlos wore a neon print mini dress with peekaboo neck and asymmetrical hemline


Both women wore their dark hair long and poker straight for the second round of auditions, and Kelly added enormous silver hoop earrings.

Tulisa appears to be settling in to her new role well. She tweeted last night: 'Amazing day at the xfactor, I want 2 thank every1 4 the support! Thanks 4 making me feel at home! Lots of love T. X'

Gary Barlow followed the female judges, stopping to sign fans for the gathered fans.


Animated: Kelly charmed the fans as she signed autographs and posed for pictures


Fashion wars: Kelly and Tulisa divided fans over their bold sartorial choices yesterday


Gary, 40, spoke out on former judge Cheryl Cole yesterday, telling reporters: 'I’ve spoken to her and I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

‘I’m sad that she’s gone, but do you know what, she will move on to something else.
‘I know Cheryl quite well and she is an ambitious girl, she’s very together and she’ll get over this no question.’

But Miss Contostavlos seemed less keen to discuss her predecessor, saying: ‘The Cheryl thing is a mystery to me.’


Star power: Gary signed autographs for fans outside the hotel


X Factor judges 'excited' by new series


source: dailymail

The long and the short of it: Tulisa and Kelly opt for printed frocks on day two of X Factor auditions

By ANDREA MAGRATH

Maxi power: Kelly Rowland steps out for day two of the X Factor auditions in a long printed maxi dress and tan wedges


They dazzled and divided fans on day one of the X Factor auditions with their bold style statements.

After Kelly wowed in a neon yellow midriff top and Tulisa raised eyebrows with her polka dot jumpsuit yesterday, both opted for slightly safer looks on day two.

N-Dubz star Tulisa was first to emerge from the judges' Birmingham hotel, in a mini-dress with a neon pink print and matching heels.

The dress featured an asymmetrical hemline and peekaboo neckline trimmed in pink.

The clingy fabric showed off the 22-year-old's slim figure and long legs.

Kelly also chose a print look with a floaty maxi dress. The tan and black print matched her handbag and wedge heels.


Bright: Tulisa Contostavlos wore a neon print mini dress with peekaboo neck and asymmetrical hemline


Both women wore their dark hair long and poker straight for the second round of auditions, and Kelly added enormous silver hoop earrings.

Tulisa appears to be settling in to her new role well. She tweeted last night: 'Amazing day at the xfactor, I want 2 thank every1 4 the support! Thanks 4 making me feel at home! Lots of love T. X'

Gary Barlow followed the female judges, stopping to sign fans for the gathered fans.


Animated: Kelly charmed the fans as she signed autographs and posed for pictures


Fashion wars: Kelly and Tulisa divided fans over their bold sartorial choices yesterday


Gary, 40, spoke out on former judge Cheryl Cole yesterday, telling reporters: 'I’ve spoken to her and I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

‘I’m sad that she’s gone, but do you know what, she will move on to something else.
‘I know Cheryl quite well and she is an ambitious girl, she’s very together and she’ll get over this no question.’

But Miss Contostavlos seemed less keen to discuss her predecessor, saying: ‘The Cheryl thing is a mystery to me.’


Star power: Gary signed autographs for fans outside the hotel


X Factor judges 'excited' by new series


source: dailymail

'I am not the bad guy' Simon Cowell insists it was a group decision to axe Cheryl

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No bad guy: Simon Cowell apparently 'moved heaven and earth' to get Cheryl Cole back on the X Factor and even offered to double her money


X Factor boss Simon Cowell agreed to double Cheryl Cole's salary to £2.8million in a bid to reel her back to the X Factor.

The X Factor boss believes he has been made out as the 'bad guy' following the controversy over the Girls Aloud star's unceremonious firing as a judge from the U.S. version.

The Daily Mirror said Cowell, 51, had infact 'moved heaven and earth' to get the Geordie singer back on the show and insisted the decision to axe her was made by a group and not him alone.


In happier days: The pair were great friends until Cheryl was unceremoniously fired from the U.S. show last week


The latest development in the saga comes as new judges Take That singer songwriter Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland made their debut yesterday at the first X Factor UK auditions at Birmingham's LG Arena.

A show producer told the newspaper: 'He (Cowell) moved heaven and earth for that girl – effectively offering to double her salary to take up a role on the UK show.'


The new crew: The official new line-up, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh, pose together for the first time


Cheryl, who has not been seen in public since her dismissal, is believed to be refusing to answer calls from Simon or respond to texts.

Even Louis Walsh waded into the debate and apparently said there was no hope for the pair's friendship now.

But the 58-year-old said Cheryl is strong and will return to the spotlight soon 'even more fantastic than before'.

But Take That star Gary Barlow revealed yesterday Cheryl had 'turned a corner' and 'is going places'.

Barlow, 40, said he had spoken to the petite brunette - and revealed that she had wished him luck as he prepared to take over from Simon Cowell as a judge on the ITV talent hit.

source: dailymail

'I am not the bad guy' Simon Cowell insists it was a group decision to axe Cheryl

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No bad guy: Simon Cowell apparently 'moved heaven and earth' to get Cheryl Cole back on the X Factor and even offered to double her money


X Factor boss Simon Cowell agreed to double Cheryl Cole's salary to £2.8million in a bid to reel her back to the X Factor.

The X Factor boss believes he has been made out as the 'bad guy' following the controversy over the Girls Aloud star's unceremonious firing as a judge from the U.S. version.

The Daily Mirror said Cowell, 51, had infact 'moved heaven and earth' to get the Geordie singer back on the show and insisted the decision to axe her was made by a group and not him alone.


In happier days: The pair were great friends until Cheryl was unceremoniously fired from the U.S. show last week


The latest development in the saga comes as new judges Take That singer songwriter Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland made their debut yesterday at the first X Factor UK auditions at Birmingham's LG Arena.

A show producer told the newspaper: 'He (Cowell) moved heaven and earth for that girl – effectively offering to double her salary to take up a role on the UK show.'


The new crew: The official new line-up, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh, pose together for the first time


Cheryl, who has not been seen in public since her dismissal, is believed to be refusing to answer calls from Simon or respond to texts.

Even Louis Walsh waded into the debate and apparently said there was no hope for the pair's friendship now.

But the 58-year-old said Cheryl is strong and will return to the spotlight soon 'even more fantastic than before'.

But Take That star Gary Barlow revealed yesterday Cheryl had 'turned a corner' and 'is going places'.

Barlow, 40, said he had spoken to the petite brunette - and revealed that she had wished him luck as he prepared to take over from Simon Cowell as a judge on the ITV talent hit.

source: dailymail

Boasts of drug taking and life in a girl gang. Say hello to X Factor's new judge Tulisa

By ALISON BOSHOFF

Pop success: Tulisa, centre, with N-Dubz bandmates Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos, her cousin, left, and Richard 'Fazer' Rawson, right


The sun has risen over Ibiza by 7am, but the clubbers are still chasing a good time in Pacha nightclub.

One group, fuelled by champagne and vodka shots, is more raucous than most, and includes a young woman with bleached hair wearing masses of gold jewellery, with a huge tattoo covering her back and shoulder.

She has put up her hair using knickers as a hairband – an act her pals find hysterically funny.


Greek grenade: But Tulisa's PR people insist her hellraising days are behind her as she joins X Factor as a judge


The partygoer is Tula Paulinea Contostavlos, known as Tulisa, who will replace Cheryl Cole on the X Factor judging panel.

Simon Cowell thinks she is ‘fantastic’, and has decreed that Tulisa, who has had three hit albums with hip-hop group N-Dubz, is what the show needs to give it more ‘edge’.

Her £500,000 deal has just been finalised and she will judge the first X Factor auditions in Birmingham today.

She is, though, a somewhat controversial choice for a prime-time family entertainment show.

Tulisa, 22, has not only admitted to frequent drug use in her past, but was also a member of a violent girl gang as a teenager.

Known as the ‘Greek Grenade’ because of her hell-raising tendencies, her PR people insist her bad behaviour is behind her, but only last year, she was asked to leave a hotel in Miami after trashing her room following a drunken night out.


Down with the kids: Tulisa performing with N-Dubz. Simon Cowell hopes she will lend the X Factor 'credibility'


What’s more, in 2009, she was involved in a late-night fight outside a convenience store in North London that left one man with knife wounds and Tulisa in court as a defence witness.

Tulisa’s then-fiance, Adam Bailey, admitted to swinging a baseball bat ‘in self-defence’ during the scuffle, and Tulisa said a youth had pulled a gun on her.
A man was found nearby suffering a stab wound to his abdomen.

Bailey was charged with – but later cleared of – wounding with intent. Tulisa was arrested, but no further action was taken.


Tough childhood: Tulisa with her mother, Ann Byrne, a singer, who suffers from schizophrenic disorder


So why would Cowell choose a woman with such a chequered past to help front the reinvention of X Factor?

A source close to the deal said: ‘The producers love her because she is opinionated, young and credible. She likes to tell it how it is.’

That’s something of an understatement, since Tulisa holds opinions that are as vulgar as they are inarticulate.

She told one of her Twitter followers they were ‘ugly’, adding: ‘Shame ur mum didn’t aborted u.’


Troubled teen: Tulisa ran with a girl gang and smoked weed - until a bad experience encouraged her to give it up


Tulisa also endured severe bullying at school, where she was set upon repeatedly, and on one occasion had a bottle smashed over her head.

She attempted suicide aged 14 by swallowing painkillers. Three years later, she slashed her wrists.

By then, she was smoking marijuana and drinking heavily. When she was 14, she started having heart palpitations because of her drug use.

One day she blacked out. ‘I woke up in an ambulance and never smoked weed again,’ she said.



Award winner: Tulisa at the Brit Awards 2010 Shortlist Announcement


Perhaps that’s why she said on television recently: ‘I don’t condone drugs. I have never taken them and I never will.’ It was a curious declaration given her previous confessions.

Shalit said: ‘She is the sensible matriarch. She is definitely the clean-living one.’

That’s probably true – though, of course, it’s all relative. Whether Tulisa can control her wilder outbursts enough to front a family show like X Factor is another matter altogether.


source: dailymail

Boasts of drug taking and life in a girl gang. Say hello to X Factor's new judge Tulisa

By ALISON BOSHOFF

Pop success: Tulisa, centre, with N-Dubz bandmates Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos, her cousin, left, and Richard 'Fazer' Rawson, right


The sun has risen over Ibiza by 7am, but the clubbers are still chasing a good time in Pacha nightclub.

One group, fuelled by champagne and vodka shots, is more raucous than most, and includes a young woman with bleached hair wearing masses of gold jewellery, with a huge tattoo covering her back and shoulder.

She has put up her hair using knickers as a hairband – an act her pals find hysterically funny.


Greek grenade: But Tulisa's PR people insist her hellraising days are behind her as she joins X Factor as a judge


The partygoer is Tula Paulinea Contostavlos, known as Tulisa, who will replace Cheryl Cole on the X Factor judging panel.

Simon Cowell thinks she is ‘fantastic’, and has decreed that Tulisa, who has had three hit albums with hip-hop group N-Dubz, is what the show needs to give it more ‘edge’.

Her £500,000 deal has just been finalised and she will judge the first X Factor auditions in Birmingham today.

She is, though, a somewhat controversial choice for a prime-time family entertainment show.

Tulisa, 22, has not only admitted to frequent drug use in her past, but was also a member of a violent girl gang as a teenager.

Known as the ‘Greek Grenade’ because of her hell-raising tendencies, her PR people insist her bad behaviour is behind her, but only last year, she was asked to leave a hotel in Miami after trashing her room following a drunken night out.


Down with the kids: Tulisa performing with N-Dubz. Simon Cowell hopes she will lend the X Factor 'credibility'


What’s more, in 2009, she was involved in a late-night fight outside a convenience store in North London that left one man with knife wounds and Tulisa in court as a defence witness.

Tulisa’s then-fiance, Adam Bailey, admitted to swinging a baseball bat ‘in self-defence’ during the scuffle, and Tulisa said a youth had pulled a gun on her.
A man was found nearby suffering a stab wound to his abdomen.

Bailey was charged with – but later cleared of – wounding with intent. Tulisa was arrested, but no further action was taken.


Tough childhood: Tulisa with her mother, Ann Byrne, a singer, who suffers from schizophrenic disorder


So why would Cowell choose a woman with such a chequered past to help front the reinvention of X Factor?

A source close to the deal said: ‘The producers love her because she is opinionated, young and credible. She likes to tell it how it is.’

That’s something of an understatement, since Tulisa holds opinions that are as vulgar as they are inarticulate.

She told one of her Twitter followers they were ‘ugly’, adding: ‘Shame ur mum didn’t aborted u.’


Troubled teen: Tulisa ran with a girl gang and smoked weed - until a bad experience encouraged her to give it up


Tulisa also endured severe bullying at school, where she was set upon repeatedly, and on one occasion had a bottle smashed over her head.

She attempted suicide aged 14 by swallowing painkillers. Three years later, she slashed her wrists.

By then, she was smoking marijuana and drinking heavily. When she was 14, she started having heart palpitations because of her drug use.

One day she blacked out. ‘I woke up in an ambulance and never smoked weed again,’ she said.



Award winner: Tulisa at the Brit Awards 2010 Shortlist Announcement


Perhaps that’s why she said on television recently: ‘I don’t condone drugs. I have never taken them and I never will.’ It was a curious declaration given her previous confessions.

Shalit said: ‘She is the sensible matriarch. She is definitely the clean-living one.’

That’s probably true – though, of course, it’s all relative. Whether Tulisa can control her wilder outbursts enough to front a family show like X Factor is another matter altogether.


source: dailymail

Let the new X Factor fashion face off begin as Kelly Rowland trounces Tulisa Contostavlos with tiny skirt and crop top

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham


The new X Factor judging line-up was unveiled for the first time today as Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos joined original judge Louis Walsh in Birmingham.

It already looks like there could be an all-new fashion war with former Destiny's Child singer Rowland, 30, and Tulisa, 22, going head-to-head to be the most stylish.

And it appears the American singer may have already won the first round by managing to make her younger co-host's jumpsuit look frumpy in comparison to her black mini skirt and yellow crop top.


Towering: Rowland opted for Christian Louboutin hidden platform 6 1/2 inch heels, while Tulisa wore red platform sandals


Both women opted for towering heels - with Tulisa in red platform sandals and Kelly in a pair of black Christian Louboutins concealed platform courts with a tottering 6 1/2 inch heel.

All of the judges are staying at the boutique Hotel Du Vin - where Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell have stayed in a previous years.


The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet


The first auditions at the LG Arena comes just two days after ITV officially announced the line-up following months of speculation.

Over the weekend, it was thought Mrs Cole may return to the panel after being fired from X Factor USA, but her talent show judging career appears to be on hold, for now at least.


Behind the scenes: Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will present the ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor


A source told the Mail earlier this week: 'That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

Announcing the new line-up, Simon Cowell enthused: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'


Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell used to sleep


ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Also unveiled today were new Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who are replacing Konnie Huq on the ITV2 spin-off show.

source: dailymail

Let the new X Factor fashion face off begin as Kelly Rowland trounces Tulisa Contostavlos with tiny skirt and crop top

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham


The new X Factor judging line-up was unveiled for the first time today as Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos joined original judge Louis Walsh in Birmingham.

It already looks like there could be an all-new fashion war with former Destiny's Child singer Rowland, 30, and Tulisa, 22, going head-to-head to be the most stylish.

And it appears the American singer may have already won the first round by managing to make her younger co-host's jumpsuit look frumpy in comparison to her black mini skirt and yellow crop top.


Towering: Rowland opted for Christian Louboutin hidden platform 6 1/2 inch heels, while Tulisa wore red platform sandals


Both women opted for towering heels - with Tulisa in red platform sandals and Kelly in a pair of black Christian Louboutins concealed platform courts with a tottering 6 1/2 inch heel.

All of the judges are staying at the boutique Hotel Du Vin - where Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell have stayed in a previous years.


The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet


The first auditions at the LG Arena comes just two days after ITV officially announced the line-up following months of speculation.

Over the weekend, it was thought Mrs Cole may return to the panel after being fired from X Factor USA, but her talent show judging career appears to be on hold, for now at least.


Behind the scenes: Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will present the ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor


A source told the Mail earlier this week: 'That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

Announcing the new line-up, Simon Cowell enthused: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'


Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell used to sleep


ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Also unveiled today were new Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who are replacing Konnie Huq on the ITV2 spin-off show.

source: dailymail

Let the new X Factor fashion face off begin as Kelly Rowland trounces Tulisa Contostavlos with tiny skirt and crop top

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham


The new X Factor judging line-up was unveiled for the first time today as Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos joined original judge Louis Walsh in Birmingham.

It already looks like there could be an all-new fashion war with former Destiny's Child singer Rowland, 30, and Tulisa, 22, going head-to-head to be the most stylish.

And it appears the American singer may have already won the first round by managing to make her younger co-host's jumpsuit look frumpy in comparison to her black mini skirt and yellow crop top.


Towering: Rowland opted for Christian Louboutin hidden platform 6 1/2 inch heels, while Tulisa wore red platform sandals


Both women opted for towering heels - with Tulisa in red platform sandals and Kelly in a pair of black Christian Louboutins concealed platform courts with a tottering 6 1/2 inch heel.

All of the judges are staying at the boutique Hotel Du Vin - where Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell have stayed in a previous years.


The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet


The first auditions at the LG Arena comes just two days after ITV officially announced the line-up following months of speculation.

Over the weekend, it was thought Mrs Cole may return to the panel after being fired from X Factor USA, but her talent show judging career appears to be on hold, for now at least.


Behind the scenes: Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will present the ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor


A source told the Mail earlier this week: 'That’s it. Cheryl will not be returning to the British X Factor.

'People have been trying to speak to her and persuade her this would be a good idea, but she’s been uncontactable.

‘She hasn’t returned phone calls. And you can’t exactly negotiate with someone who won’t even speak to you.’

Announcing the new line-up, Simon Cowell enthused: 'These four are totally up for it, each of them bring a different attitude. They have had a ton of hits between them and they are all committed to finding a star. I have a feeling Louis and Tulisa will have slightly different points of view as to what the next star should look and sound like!'


Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell used to sleep


ITV’s Director of Television, Peter Fincham, meanwhile said in the statement: 'As multi-million selling artists, songwriters and pop masterminds, Gary, Tulisa, Kelly and Louis have huge breadth of appeal with our audience and the ability to engage both the UK’s next generation of music talent as well as ITV’s viewers.'

Also unveiled today were new Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who are replacing Konnie Huq on the ITV2 spin-off show.

source: dailymail

As Cheryl and Simon go to war, his people claim she asked for £2.5m to return to British X-Factor

By BEN TODD and PAUL REVOIR

Open neck: Simon Cowell - baring his hairy chest - returned to Britain's Got Talent last night but made no mention of the Cheryl Cole controversy


Only a month ago Simon Cowell told the world Cheryl Cole was ‘special’.

Last night, however, the TV mogul and the pop star were at war – through their ‘people’ – amid claims her advisers demanded £2.5million for her to return to the UK X Factor after her shock axing from the U.S. version of the show.

It came after ITV issued a statement confirming that the Girls Aloud star will not feature in its judging panel for the TV talent contest.


Holed up: Cheryl has not been seen since returning from America


Cowell himself has remained unusually silent on the issue – other than a subtle reference on last night’s Britain’s Got Talent, where he also raised eyebrows by arriving for a turn as guest judge in a suit and unbuttoned shirt which bared his hairy chest.

But according to senior sources at both his production company Syco, and ITV, associates of Mrs Cole believed to be led by pop star William Adams – known as Will.i.am and who became her manager a month ago – wanted the broadcaster to agree to the huge fee.


Happier times: Cheryl and Simon smile together on the judging panel of the X Factor in December 2009


The friend said: ‘Will.i.am doesn’t want her to have anything to do with Cowell anymore. Cowell thought she would come running back and take the UK job – but why would she when she’s been hung out to dry in the U.S..’

Since her humiliating sacking, Mrs Cole has been uncontactable – with sources suggesting she did not even know of the demands allegedly being made on her behalf.

She has refused to take telephone calls from TV executives, including Cowell.


Allies: Cheryl with her new manager Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas who is believed to have demanded the huge fee for her to return to X Factor


Within hours, it was confirmed that Tulisa Contostavlos – from pop band N-Dubz – was joining the show alongside Louis Walsh, U.S. pop star Kelly Rowland and Take That singer Gary Barlow.

An X Factor source revealed: ‘There was a Plan A we already had which we’re happy with and is a great team. It got to a point with Cheryl where we had to move on.


New panel: Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland will join Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh on the judging panel


That public statement also signalled the end of Cowell and Mrs Cole’s professional relationship, which began when she joined the X Factor in 2008.

Even a month ago, he said of Mrs Cole: ‘She’s got a great ability to communicate. She’s a great judge. She’s smart. You meet someone special a few times in your life and this girl is special.’

Within days of that comment, Mrs Cole had surprisingly axed Hilary Shaw – her manager since 2005 – to hand control to Mr Adams, who has found worldwide fame with the Black Eyed Peas.



Lost her 'mojo': A TV source said Cheryl seemed to have completely 'lost her mojo' after arriving in America

source: dailymail

As Cheryl and Simon go to war, his people claim she asked for £2.5m to return to British X-Factor

By BEN TODD and PAUL REVOIR

Open neck: Simon Cowell - baring his hairy chest - returned to Britain's Got Talent last night but made no mention of the Cheryl Cole controversy


Only a month ago Simon Cowell told the world Cheryl Cole was ‘special’.

Last night, however, the TV mogul and the pop star were at war – through their ‘people’ – amid claims her advisers demanded £2.5million for her to return to the UK X Factor after her shock axing from the U.S. version of the show.

It came after ITV issued a statement confirming that the Girls Aloud star will not feature in its judging panel for the TV talent contest.


Holed up: Cheryl has not been seen since returning from America


Cowell himself has remained unusually silent on the issue – other than a subtle reference on last night’s Britain’s Got Talent, where he also raised eyebrows by arriving for a turn as guest judge in a suit and unbuttoned shirt which bared his hairy chest.

But according to senior sources at both his production company Syco, and ITV, associates of Mrs Cole believed to be led by pop star William Adams – known as Will.i.am and who became her manager a month ago – wanted the broadcaster to agree to the huge fee.


Happier times: Cheryl and Simon smile together on the judging panel of the X Factor in December 2009


The friend said: ‘Will.i.am doesn’t want her to have anything to do with Cowell anymore. Cowell thought she would come running back and take the UK job – but why would she when she’s been hung out to dry in the U.S..’

Since her humiliating sacking, Mrs Cole has been uncontactable – with sources suggesting she did not even know of the demands allegedly being made on her behalf.

She has refused to take telephone calls from TV executives, including Cowell.


Allies: Cheryl with her new manager Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas who is believed to have demanded the huge fee for her to return to X Factor


Within hours, it was confirmed that Tulisa Contostavlos – from pop band N-Dubz – was joining the show alongside Louis Walsh, U.S. pop star Kelly Rowland and Take That singer Gary Barlow.

An X Factor source revealed: ‘There was a Plan A we already had which we’re happy with and is a great team. It got to a point with Cheryl where we had to move on.


New panel: Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland will join Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh on the judging panel


That public statement also signalled the end of Cowell and Mrs Cole’s professional relationship, which began when she joined the X Factor in 2008.

Even a month ago, he said of Mrs Cole: ‘She’s got a great ability to communicate. She’s a great judge. She’s smart. You meet someone special a few times in your life and this girl is special.’

Within days of that comment, Mrs Cole had surprisingly axed Hilary Shaw – her manager since 2005 – to hand control to Mr Adams, who has found worldwide fame with the Black Eyed Peas.



Lost her 'mojo': A TV source said Cheryl seemed to have completely 'lost her mojo' after arriving in America

source: dailymail