Cheryl Cole will not be returning to 'The X Factor USA' so Nicole Scherzinger will be breathing a sigh of relief as she keeps her spot on the judging panel.

It had been reported that the Girls Aloud star was being offered a chance to return after an intervention from Simon Cowell, however, it has now been claimed that Cheryl Cole will be receiving her £1.2 million salary to keep quiet about her dismissal from the show.

Simon Cowell was reportedly having issues deciding between Cheryl Cole and Nicole Scherzinger and in the end took a chance on the 'Promise This' singer, although it was short-lived as she was booted from the judging panel after only one audition.

Now, Cheryl Cole has reportedly been offered a deal to keep queit about her exit from the show. Cole is not allowed to criticise the show or Simon Cowell in public or discuss the circumstances about her dismissal, reports The Mirror.

A source told the newspaper: “Cheryl is going to be paid off if things go to plan. The last thing we need is someone with an axe to grind saying bad things about the show before it even starts."

The insider continued: “We hope a simple statement can be released next week and that will be the end of it. It’s is an incredible amount of money for four days’ work, but this is a multi-million dollar show with so much invested, it will be worth it. If she takes the money she is effectively agreeing to a gag.”

Who would have made the best judge? Nicole or Cheryl?

Nicole Scherzinger with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton in Monte Carlo...