Nicole Scherzinger Will Not Be Returning To The X-Factor Panel

As speculation over exactly who we’ll be seeing in this year’s series of The X Factorcontinues, Lewis Hamilton has apparently asked girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger not to return.

The Formula 1 star is reportedly worried that their conflicting schedules will mean they’ll be apart for too long, as Lewis will be touring the world with the Mercedes AMG racing team while Nicole would be sitting on the judging panel when it returns in the autumn.

An insider told the Sunday People newspaper: “Lewis has said to Nicole this is going to be and awful sitution and perhaps she shouldn’t do it.

“If he thought she had her heart set on returning he wouldn’t say this, but he knows she isn’t desperate to go back and thinks she would be happier if they were together.”

The source adds: “Nicole is also worried she won’t see much of Lewis so it is a big factor that will deeply affect her decision.”

Scherzinger has already made clear to the show’s bosses that if she were to return she’d want her £750,000 fee doubled, but she has still not been confirmed as a judge on the show.

The exact composition of the panel is still very much up in the air, with Tulisa not likely to  return and Simon Cowell hopeful he can persuade Sharon Osbourne to return and take her place.