Cheryl Cole has been confirmed as a judge on the US version of The X Factor.
Simon Cowell has revealed the Promise This singer will join him and record executive L.A. Reid - as well as former American Idol judge Paula Abdul - on the panel for the Stateside version
of the talent contest after TV boss Mike Darnell "fell in love" with her.
Simon said: "With Cheryl, when I hired her initially I'd only met her literally once when I offered her the job on The X Factor. I thought she was bright, cute, knew what she was talking about, ambitious.
"You meet someone special a few times in your life. This girl is special. She's got a great ability to communicate. She's a great judge. She's smart. It's just a hunch. If people take to her like the British public did, I think she's going to do really well in America. Fox were desperate to hire her.
"I showed a tape to Mike Darnell of a clip I'd shot in England of Cheryl and he said, 'I'd hire her now for American Idol.' They absolutely fell in love with her."
The 51-year-old music mogul insisted US TV executives wanted the 27-year-old beauty as a judge "immediately", despite the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Cee Lo Green and Mariah Carey also believed to be in the running for a place on the panel.
Speaking to Deadline.com, he added: "They wanted her all the time. They absolutely fell in love with her. In a way, the deal was almost conditional on Cheryl having the gig."
Meanwhile, Simon - who quit his role on American Idol last year to concentrate on the launch of The X Factor - admitted he has "never found anyone better" than former co-host Paula Abdul, who will join the trio on the panel.
He said: "It is like casting a dinner party. I've always wanted Paula - I've never found anyone better. You just have to get that chemistry.
"I've always loved working with her even though she can be a pain."
- BANG! Showbiz
