Cheryl who? Simon Cowell to offer Tulisa and Kelly Rowland 'DOUBLE pay for X Factor return

By Jessica Satherley


Cowell's praise: The X Factor mogul is so happy with Tulisa and Kelly on the judging panel that he's rumoured to be offering them another contract


Adding three new divas to the X Factor judging panel this season was a risky call, but Simon Cowell is apparently so happy with his decision they’re set to receive a deal for next season too.

Cowell is reportedly set to offer Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland contracts for next year’s series, which would pay them twice as much as their current deal.

While Gary Barlow has also been rumoured to have made the cut after Simon told staff: ‘This is the best the show has ever been’, according to The People.

Good work: Simon has gushed about how impressed he is with his new judging panel


If 23-year-old Tulisa is signed for double her current wage, she will see her pay cheque sky rocket from £250,000 to half a million, the tabloid reported.

And 30-year-old Kelly’s contract would shoot up to a whopping £800,000.

Although Tulisa and Kelly would not doubt be over the moon about the gig, the news would mean Cheryl Cole has no chance of being reinstated on the judging panel.

An X Factor source told the newspaper: ‘Tulisa and Kelly will definitely be back. Simon believes Tulisa is the next Cheryl and will be even bigger.

‘At first Simon was worried about Cheryl not being on the show but those worries have now disappeared.’

Surprised? Kelly Rowland could be in for a nice surprise if Cowell gives her a pay rise next year

Impressive work: Simon is also said to be impressed with Gary Barlow's judging skills


Cowell spoke out about his new judges on ITV2’s Xtra Factor last night and said: ‘I think they’re great.

‘Gary’s like a producer and he knows how to spot a star. Kelly, she’s like an athlete, and it’s this American professionalism – always, always on it.

‘And Tulisa, she’s like the lippy brat, right? I like that. She’s bolshy. She has a good ear. I think they’re gonna do well.’

He continued to describe 40-year-old Barlow as ‘a competitive person’.

Cowell said: ‘He’ll want to come in on his first year and win. And you can tell these two girls, they’re just going, ‘no you’re not’.’

American dreams: Simon, who is busy Stateside with X Factor USA, is happy with the new UK line up (pictured in LA with Nicole Scherzinger)

No return? Cheryl Cole, who has been visiting British troops in Afghanistan, is reportedly not returning to the show


The only original judge is Louis Walsh, and although there have been no reports about whether he will return next year, Cowell is said to value him very highly.

Meanwhile, reports of Cheryl Cole making a surprise return sometime throughout this series have been rubbished by the Sunday Mirror.

A show source told the tabloid: ‘Now Simon has decided it would be a backward step to reinstate her.

‘He gets annoyed if anyone suggests Kelly Rowland or Tulisa may have to make way for her return. That is categorically not going to happen.’

A spokesperson for ITV2 told the Mail Online that they would not comment about the reports, but that Simon is delighted with the UK line up.

New line up: Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow sit on the X Factor judging panel


source:dailymail