Cheryl Cole lands $6m deal to judge X Factor USA

Cheryl Cole is heading to America after signing a $6m deal to judge the US version of Simon Cowell’s TV talent show The X Factor.

According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, the Newcastle-born brunette — who was charged with racially aggravated assault after viciously attacking a toilet attendant back in 2003 — signed a deal with network FOX this past weekend.

Cole is also a judge on X Factor in the UK.

“When Cheryl goes to America she will also launch her music career there too,” a source said.

“It’s the next part of her big plan, she’s an incredibly hard worker and she will definitely get a boost by appearing on the X Factor, which is set to be a sure-fire hit.”

Cole recently faced criticism from her X Factor colleagues Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue for abandoning her acts at a crucial stage.

“It takes three security guards just to escort her ego,” Walsh reportedly said.

“It’s one rule for her and another for the rest of us,” Minogue reportedly told pals.

“Dannii and Louis were absolutely outraged that Cheryl was allowed to just swan off and leave her acts while she went to LA,” said one insider.

“They are both busy people as well. Louis has bands to manage and Dannii is a new mum with a fashion line.

“But they know X Factor has to come first during the live shows.

“They wouldn’t be allowed to jet off for a week to do some other business. They both clear their schedules for the show. But they’re fuming that it seems Cheryl can do whatever she wants.

“There’s a lot of panto in X Factor but this isn’t panto. There’s some real hard feelings this year and each week it’s getting a little more nasty.

“It’s got so nasty between the four of them even the producers are shocked.

“I heard producers had to tell Dermot O’Leary in his earpiece to calm them down the other week.

“Dannii and Louis have been talking and have agreed that if it looks like Cheryl’s in with a chance, they will team up to back Simon Cowell’s group One Direction to get the girls out.

“They would rather put up with him being smug than letting Cheryl win again.”

Meanwhile, music mogul Cowell — who will launch his hit pop star search TV show in America next year — said last week he plans to make a “surprise” announcement about the new series in December.

“I’m going to make an announcement within three or four weeks, which is going to tell everyone everything. There will be some surprises,” he said.

Simon is still staying tight-lipped on who will be joining him on the judging panel, but did say, “OK, one of the judges has quite long hair.”