She may have lost her spot on the US show, but she’s not out of the picture yet

Jun 18, 2012 13:25 GMT  ·  By

When season 1 of X Factor US ended, it wrapped with a bloodbath, with one of the victims being judge Nicole Scherzinger. She's not out of the picture just yet, coming to replace Kelly Rowland on the British version of the show.

Simon Cowell ported X Factor from the UK to the US but, since ratings were below his expectations, he decided to switch it up a bit and bring more interesting personalities on board for the second season.

However, he must have felt something special for Nicole, because he just brought her on board a new season of the British show, as Kelly Rowland made her exit, AceShowbiz writes.

“Scherzinger has actually appeared on the ITV series a number of times as stand-in judge at the London auditions and a guest judge. As a full-time judge, she will begin her duty in Newcastle audition on Monday, July 18,” the e-zine writes.

“The show will return in August with live shows in October,” adds the same media outlet.

In a press statement released on the occasion, Nicole says she sees her return to X Factor as a full circle, a homecoming if you will.

"I'm so excited to join the UK X Factor family. It's where I got my start, so it feels great to come full circle. I can't wait to see what talent the UK has to offer and to help inspire and bring out the best in these artists,” the singer says.

Nicole joins Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos on the judging panel. Reports online say that, after Kelly announced she didn't want to return for another season, Simon contacted Dannii Minogue to give her her old job back but she turned him down.

Be that as it may, ITV bosses are thrilled with the new addition.

“Nicole will bring her wealth of experience, both as a solo artist, and as a member of a group, to this year's Judging panel. We're delighted that she'll be joining us for the forthcoming series,” Peter Fincham, director of television for ITV says in a separate statement.

Nicole and Paula Abdul's spots on X Factor US have been filled by Demi Lovato and Britney Spears, who join L.A. Reid and Cowell himself on the second season of the singing competition.