Entertainment

Cheryl’s X Factor clanger

Cheryl Cole © PA

Cheryl Cole’s only been in her new job as a panellist on The X Factor for about 73 hours, but it seems the gobby Geordie’s already dropped a prize clanger.

Appearing on The Paul O’Grady Show, Chezzer was asked whether she enjoys kicking back and watching Cowell and co’s show. “I’d rather watch Strictly Come Dancing,” was her somewhat tactless reply. Oops.

To be fair to Cheryl, the interview was recorded a while ago, way before she was lined up as Sharon Osbourne’s replacement on the hit talent show, so she can’t really be blamed. As a source said: “Cheryl’s words have come back to haunt her. But she’s a good sport and she will no doubt send herself up about it.”

Cheryl’s new job as a panellist also sees her reunited with former Girls Aloud boss Louis Walsh. And she got herself off to a flying start on her first day at work last week – by giving the genial Irish impresario a taste of her famously sharp tongue.

When a band started to big-up Louis in the middle of an audition, Cheryl was quick to shoot them down. An X Factor source said: "The contestants said they wanted to have Louis as a boss and Cheryl piped up and joked 'No you don't!'

“With a grin on her face she told them Louis was a rubbish manager - obviously in reference to when he was in charge of Girls Aloud.”

So it seems like Ms Cole’s new career is going swimmingly. Still, if it doesn’t work out, there’s always Strictly Come Dancing

by Stewart Turner, Monday 16 June 2008

Sources: Daily Star, Daily Mirror