Monkey

Reportedly she's signed on the dotted line

The UK X Factor is missing a judge. With the departure of Kelly Rowland, the remaining judges - Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh - have been joined by a number of guest judges at auditions over the past month.

The guests have included former Spice Girls' Geri Halliwell and Mel B, new star Rita Ora, former winner Leona Lewis and axed US X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger.

Now, reports are coming in that Nicole Scherzinger has been offered the job permanently and has signed on the dotted line.

Life & Style magazine have said that it's a done deal for the former Pussycat Doll. A source told them: "She's accepted the offer, she's going to be in the UK for about four months."

Impressing bosses with her guest judge stint in May, the £1 million pay cheque and London base will mean she'll be able to spend some quality time with F1 boyfriend Lewis Hamilton.

The signing may not please all X Factor fans though. Anastacia was a big hit at the Glasgow auditions, flirting with Gary Barlow and getting up on stage to peek up a contestant's kilt.

The Sun newspaper, however claims whilst bosses are keen to have Nicole on the show, the deal has actually not been signed just yet. A source told them: "Everything is in place to sign Nicole but Anastacia was incredible. She had such great chemistry with the others.

"Nicole has been good in the past but she hasn't worked with anyone on this panel before except Louis, so who knows how she will do?

"Nothing is certain on The X Factor - things change down to the wire."

So, has Nicole really been signed or is this just the X Factor rumour mill going into overdrive again? Would you like to see her on the panel permanently? Let us know what you think in the comments below.