Freemantle North America and Syco TV have confirmed that Geordie, Cheryl Cole, has left US version of The X Factor.

Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger will be Cole's official replacement, and former T4 presenter, Steve Jones, will host the show by himself.

The official statement said: "Nicole will join Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul on their search across America to find the next global superstar or group to win the life-changing five million dollar recording deal.

"Nicole has previously joined Simon Cowell as a guest judge on The X Factor for the UK version of the show in 2010.

Steve Jones will act as sole host of The X Factor."

Watch Cheryl Cole being interviewed at the US X Factor auditions last month below: