Nicole Scherzinger set to join US X Factor

Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is set to join the judging panel of the US The X Factor, according to the papers.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Simon Cowell was very impressed by Nicole when she stood in for Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of the show last month, after Cheryl was taken ill with malaria.

And now he is expected to ask her to join the US show, which is due to launch in 2011.

"Nicole blew Simon away - after the first two days of filming with her, Simon told Louis it had been one of the best two days of X Factor filming ever, " a source close to the show told the paper.

"Her appearance was always being viewed as an 'audition' for X Factor US, but no one expected her to be quite as good as she was."

An X Factor spokeswoman dismissed the claims as speculation, however, saying, "Absolutely no decisions have been made about US X Factor yet."

If Nicole does join the US show it could come as a blow to Cheryl Cole, who has been hoping to reprise her role as judge across the Atlantic.

The Girls Aloud singer is currently lining up meetings with US TV executives to discuss possible projects, which include a rumoured role in Desperate Housewives.