Cheryl Cole is new X Factor judge

Cole will be seen on the new series of X Factor which starts later this year

Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole has been named as the new judge on The X Factor.

The pop star will fill the gap left by long-standing judge Sharon Osbourne, who announced last week she was quitting the show.

Cole will join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue on the popular ITV talent show.

Osbourne, who was a judge for four years, revealed both Cole and Spice Girl Mel B had been approached about taking her place.

Cole, 24, who shot to fame when Girls Aloud won reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals, said it was "scary" to be joining the ITV1 show.

"It's a massive honour to be following in the footsteps of Sharon Osbourne," she said.

"The rest of the girls have said they're right behind me, which is really important for me as it will be weird to be on the other side of the fence this time.

Sharon Osbourne has denied she quit over pay

"Professionals"

Fellow judge Louis Walsh, who used to manage Girls Aloud, told Radio 1 he thought Cole was a good choice.

"I think it's a young choice, I think it's different - and don't forget she'll identify with everybody coming into the room because she did that five years ago," he said.

"I think her and Dannii are going to get on well - they're professionals. Don't forget Cheryl's worked with five girls in a band so she knows what it's like to work with other girls. I don't see why they won't get on."

Osbourne, 55, who announced she was quitting on Friday, has denied she walked out because TV bosses would not meet her pay demands.

She told Radio 1 on Monday: "We were negotiating and they offered me an obscene amount of money. It didn't change anything. I had to walk away when I did."

Cole is to start filming in London this week. The series returns later in the summer.

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