Nicole Scherzinger has backed Britney Spears to fill her boots on the X Factor USA judging panel.

Scherzinger left the show earlier this year along with Paula Abdul after the first series of the show ended, with host Steve Jones also culled.

Britney Spears has been a tabloid favourite to replace one of the outgoing judges, with Simon Cowell doing little to play down the rumours.

Speaking to E!, Scherzinger has given her support to Spears as the race for the judges' seats hots up. She said:

"Britney is so bubbly and warm and everyone loves her anyway, so she just has to be herself. I think that it's something that we can't deny, but there's something about Britney that we...are always rooting for her and behind her no matter what."