Cheryl Cole to return to The X Factor

Girls Aloud star joins Simon Cowell on the judging panel for the 2014 series of ITV’s reality TV singing contest.

Cheryl Cole has confirmed that she is set to return to The X Factor later this year. The Girls Aloud star joins Simon Cowell on the judging panel for this year’s series.

“I’m very happy and excited to be returning to The X Factor,” said Cheryl. “I’m inspired and ready to find new talent and potential pop stars. It’s going to be a fun series.”

Cheryl originally joined The X Factor in 2008. She spent three years on the on the judging panel before leaving the reality TV singing contest in 2010 to temporarily join the fledgling US edition of the show.

"I am so happy that Cheryl has agreed to join The X Factor again,” added show creator Simon Cowell. “The last time we worked together in the UK was incredible and produced some really successful artists. Obviously the plan is to do the same again, so it's back to work!"

During her original tenure, Cheryl won the show twice: with Alexandra Burke in 2008, and again in 2009 with Joe McElderry. Both acts’ debut singles went to Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart.

Alexandra Burke’s X Factor winner’s single, Hallelujah, is one of the UK’s biggest selling singles of all-time.