Reports of Cheryl Cole's return to 'The X Factor,' Simon Cowell's upcoming Fox singing competition, were officially squashed Monday when the network issued a statement saying that she will not be a judge on the show.
The announcement comes on the heels of speculation by the UK's News of the World and U.S. outlet Radar Online over the weekend that she may have been engaged in discussions to return. Cole had been fired from her position in May.
Also read: Report: Cheryl Cole Will Return to 'The X Factor'
As had been previously speculated upon, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, originally one of the hosts of the program, will move to the judges table with Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul.
Fellow Brit Steve Jones will be the sole host of the program, which will debut on Fox this fall.
Also read: 'X Factor' Judge Jumble: Cheryl Cole Out, Nicole Scherzinger In
Cole was also let go from the British version of "The X Factor" as well. No official word on why, but there had been speculation that her ouster from the U.S. version had to do with the northeaster English woman's thick "Geordie" accent not translating well to America.