Cheryl Cole has stepped down as a judge on the British version of The X Factor and will take up the role on the new American version, according to reports.

The Girls Aloud star is set to sign a £3million deal with US TV bosses, that will see her appear alongside Simon Cowell, who also quit the UK edition this week.

Cole's participation, which has been heavily rumoured, was apparently confirmed by Simon Cowell during a US TV interview, reports the Daily Mail.

When asked if Cole would be joining him on the panel, Cowell told Good Day LA: "Yes", but he then apparently tried to back track on his response, blaming a delay in the video link.

(by Jason Gregory)