Nicole Scherzinger says she HAS been asked back to The X Factor amid Cheryl rumours

The X Factor star Nicole Scherzinger says she HAS been invited to return as a judge in 2018.

It follows rumours that Cheryl could be brought back to replace her.

The talent contest’s latest series has only just finished its live shows, but speculation is already rife about next year.

Louis Walsh claims he and Sharon Osbourne have already agreed to remain on the judging panel, while Simon Cowell is also expected to stick around.

However, Nicole recently hinted that she could quit, telling The Sun there are still “things I want to achieve, musically”.

Reports have since suggested that Cheryl could make a full-time comeback, with her boyfriend Liam Payne quoted as saying that Simon is “desperate” to have her.

Now Nicole seems to have done a bit of a U-turn, insisting she is “most likely” to return next year.

The ‘Poison’ singer told OK Magazine that X Factor bosses have asked her back.

While she’s yet to sign on the dotted line, she is eager to “make it work”.

“I love it so most likely I will come back,” said Nicole (quotes via The Sun). “I never know what’s going to happen but The X Factor feels like family to me.

“I’ve been asked to return and hopefully we can make it work.

“The show is too much fun for me not to come back. I love this job and I love this country.”

Nicole has judged four series of The X Factor to date, including this year’s fourteenth run.

She has claimed victory twice, winning in 2012 with James Arthur and 2016 with Matt Terry.

The X Factor will be back in 2018 as part of a three-year deal that ITV and production company FremantleMedia reached last September.