Nicole Scherzinger is reportedly set to pocket £125,000 more than fellow returning ‘x factor’ judge Sharon Osbourne. According to The Mirror the former Pussycat Doll will earn just over £1.8million for the new 'X Factor' series while Sharon will get £1.7million.

Nicole ScherzingerNicole Scherzinger is reportedly being paid more than Sharon Osbourne for her ‘X Factor’ return.

Sources told the newspaper that the revelation will come as a shock to Sharon, as she was assured that she would be the highest-paid judge after head Simon Cowell. They added that Sharon had only decided to sign the contract once her demand was agreed.

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But Nicole’s huge pay day was said to be necessary in order to lure her away from her starring role in Broadway show Cats, which she quit in May to return to the judging panel. A source now says there could be trouble when Sharon finds out.

“During negotiations, Sharon stipulated that she had to be the highest- paid judge. But what she doesn’t know is that Nicole is set to pocket an extra £125,000,” a source said. “This will surely anger Sharon, who feels she’s worth more than Nicole.

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“She’s more experienced after sitting on the panel for five series, compared to Nicole’s two,” the source added. Louis Walsh, who is also making his return to the show this series, is said to be earning £1m.