Not quite, but LA Reid, the first confirmed judge on the US X Factor may have inadvertently let the cat out of the bag when he was quoted as saying: 

"We're gonna compete against American Idol just fine. I'm very confident. But along with Simon Cowell and Cheryl, I don't know who the other judge is," reports Deadline Hollywood. 

Did you read that part about "along with Simon Cowell AND Cheryl...?" No read between the lines here.

Cheryl Cole is a HUGE pop star in the UK but is relatively unknown stateside. That hasn't stopped Simon from backing the Girls Aloud singer with US TV executives who argue that she doesn't have relevance in the US. 

Here's the thing: Cheryl is a proven success as judge on the UK's X Factor winning two out of three times with the acts that she had mentored. She's also quite easy on the eyes. Seriously, look at those big brown eyes. Rumors are swirling that she will soon be officially locked in for the judge's panel. It seems her biggest critics aren't even Americans, but rather Brits who can't stand her Geordie accent. 

I'm here to say: "Anybody but Jessica Simpson!" If that twit becomes a judge, that's it -- I'm out!

Who do you think should be judge -- Cheryl Cole, Paula Abdul, Jessica Simpson or Nicole Sherzinger?

Photo: Wenn

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