GIRLS ALOUD star CHERYL COLE has been signed as the new judge of hit U.K. TV talent show THE X FACTOR - taking over from disgruntled star SHARON OSBOURNE.
The pop beauty, who scored a chart hit with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am on his track Heartbreaker last month (May08), will join the judging panel of the programme when it airs on Britain's ITV1 channel later in the year (Sept08).
Cole will join music mogul Simon Cowell, pop manager Louis Walsh and singer Dannii Minogue on the hit show.
Rock matriarch Osbourne quit earlier last week (06Jun08) amid speculation of a longterm rift with Minogue - sister of pop superstar Kylie Minogue - and reports TV bosses had refused her demands for a pay rise.
Osbourne went on to admit she had indeed asked for a "ridiculous" amount of money before resigning from the show after four years as a judge.
And the 55-year-old has given her blessing to her replacement, telling British radio station Radio One, "I've heard they're asking Cheryl from Girls Aloud, who I love. I'd like to see Cheryl."
Cole is ecstatic about her new role: "It's a massive honour to be following in the footsteps of Sharon Osbourne."
However, the pop star has denied the move will mean her days with Girls Aloud are numbered, adding, "The rest of the girls have said they're right behind me. So whilst we get started on the next album, it will be brilliant to be a judge on The X Factor."
Cole beat former Spice Girl Mel B and Welsh classical singer-turned-chatshow host Charlotte Church to land the job.
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