Simon Cowell ‘skips X Factor auditions’ as Cheryl Cole’s US role hangs in balance

Simon Cowell is reportedly missing the auditions stage on the UK X Factor as it emerges Cheryl Cole might have lost her slot on the US version of the show.

The music mogul is thought to be bowing out of the hit ITV show’s beginning stages and returning just for the live shows – just like he is doing for this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent.

Cowell feels he has ‘a lot to prove’ with the US X Factor and wants to make sure it goes down a hit, according to the Daily Mail.

This news comes as it is also revealed that Cheryl Cole’s judging role on the American version of the talent show is in jeopardy as TV executives Stateside cast doubt on just how popular the Geordie lass is with American audiences.

And it’s not as though they’re short of top American stars to take her place either as rumours spread that Katy Perry and Rihanna are on the line-up to step into her shoes.

A source close to Cole told the newspaper: ‘It was thought the American job was a done deal but it seems the US executives have had a last-minute change of heart.

‘They are now questioning whether she’s famous enough in America.’

If American bosses do end up pulling out over cold feet, it’s likely to come as a huge blow to the 27-year-old Promise This singer as she has been house-hunting in LA for swanky pads near to Fox studios where the US X Factor is going to be filmed.

However, with little chart success from her Girls Aloud days and failing to impress US audiences with her debut solo album 3 Words, she probably knew she’d have a battle on her hands.

At least she has pal Simon on her side though. He is thought to be doing ‘everything in his power’ to persuade TV bigwigs Chezza would be the right choice.

But Simon has his own dilemma to deal with as on hearing that he would be missing the audition stages of the ITV talent show, UK bosses offered to pay for a private jet to take him to and from Los Angeles and London each week so he doesn’t miss out on either shows.

Being a self-confessed workaholic, though, it’s unlikely he’ll go for that option as it would entail lengthy periods of having no contact with his staff as well as having to cope with constant jet-lag.