Cheryl Cole has ruled out a return to the X Factor UK, telling television host Graham Norton "It's a definite no." The Girls Aloud star is reportedly suing the U.S. version of the show claiming they broke her contract following her sacking last year, though speculation suggested she would return to the UK panel as head-judge.

With the future of Nicole Scherzinger and Gary Barlow in doubt, many fans of the show assumed Cole would join Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh on the panel for 2013, though the girl band star has put an end to the rumours. Cole released her autobiography two months ago, though claims none of her Girls Aloud band mates have read it. "They don't need to [read it] as they were there. People think there was a three year break but we still socialised on a weekly basis. It's not like we didn't see each other for three years."

Despite Cheryl's denial, the bookmakers still have her at 8/1 to judge on the show next year, though Simon Cowell is the odds-on 8/11 favourite to be the newest addition to the panel. Mel B and Sharon Osbourne are also short odds to return to the judging line-up.