Nicole Scherzinger is one of the few "genuine" artists in the business, insists her fellow performer and friend Ne-Yo.

UK X Factor judge Scherzinger welcomed the help of Ne-Yo when she had to choose her final three acts to take through to the competition's live shows.

Ne-Yo and Scherzinger have long been firm friends, and the R&B singer has nothing but praise for the former Pussycat Dolls beauty.

Talking to Look magazine, Ne-Yo explained: "[Nicole is one of my] really good friends, she's one of the few genuine people in the industry. We toured together four years ago when she was in the Pussycat Dolls.

He continued: "Lady Gaga was our opening act - it seemed like two days later she became the biggest star on the planet."

Ne-Yo loved helping Nicole choose her final three boys - Rylan Clarke, Jahmene Douglas and James Arthur - but the singer insists he wouldn't be so great in the formal judging panel line-up.

Ne-Yo added: "I think I have been in this game long enough to have some good advice. But I wouldn't want to take any time out of my music to do it."