Will AMANDA HOLDEN replace Cheryl on The X Factor?

With the mad news that Cheryl Cole has quit The X Factor for 2016, boss Simon Cowell is going to be casting around for a replacement judge.

But could he be looking fairly close to home? Possibly – because it sounds like he's already got his eye on Amanda Holden.

Speaking about the success of his Britain's Got Talent panel – which returns to ITV on Saturday 9 April – Simon said: "I think the four of us [David Walliams, Amanda, Alesha Dixon and Simon himself] on the panel is about as good as we're ever going to get.

"We even considered transferring them all on to X Factor, but their egos, if I ever suggested it, would be unbearable."

Simon also revealed how Cheryl was actually supposed to be joining him over on BGT, but changed her mind about being a judge.

"Cheryl was supposed to be in Amanda's place, but with days to go she backed out.

"Now I couldn't imagine doing the show without Amanda," he added to the Radio Times.

Meanwhile, Cheryl has broken her silence about her decision to leave The X Factor, saying she's chosen to focus on making music (with new beau Liam Payne?) again.

"I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on The X Factor," she said.

I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I’ve missed making music and am excited to be recording again.

I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon who I love to bits. I hope the show continues to produce stars and I wish them all the best.

Would you watch Amanda Holden as an XF judge? Gizza shout over at heatworld's Twitter and let us know.

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