Cheryl Cole is reportedly seething after being dumped by Simon Cowell as a judge on the American version of ‘The X Factor’. “She is completely shocked and stunned. She never saw this coming at all,” a friend of the Girls Aloud star told The Sun. “The fact that Simon didn’t tell her in person hurt. She never thought he would do that to her.”

But an insider in Cowell’s camp says that’s hogwash. “Cheryl can hardly say this was a total shock. She actually knew about it three days ago,” the source said. “Simon told her in person at his house that it wasn’t working and that he was under so much pressure to release her. She knows she has been nervous in her performances and TV execs were privately concerned.”

A person with direct knowledge of Simon Cowell’s decision to remove Cheryl Cole as a judge on the American version of ‘The X Factor’ tells the New York Times he believed the Girls Aloud star wasn’t comfortable appearing with the show’s other juges, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid. The source added that Simonmight still change his mind. For now, Nicole Scherzinger has taken Cheryl’s place, leaving the show’s hosting duties to one person, Steve Jones.

TMZ reports Cheryl Cole has been dropped as one of ‘The X Factor’ judges because producers were concerned about her English accent being too difficult for an American audience to understand. Sources added that there was a “lack of chemistry” between the Girls Aloud star and fellow judge Paula Abdul. Though bosses at the UK version of the show want her to return, Cheryl is upset about how she was handled and may break ties with the ‘X Factor’ franchise all together.

Ashley Cole’s friend spoke with News of the World about how the soccer star wants ex-wife Cheryl Cole back as the Girls Aloud star prepares to move to America as a judge on ‘The X Factor’. “It has hit Ashley like a ton of bricks that Cheryl is leaving, the source told the tabloid. “He’s distraught and has begged her to give him one more go. But Cheryl no longer speaks to Ashley and he is in her past.”

The entire story at newsoftheworld.co.uk has since been removed.