She’s had a tough time of late, but things could soon be looking up for Cheryl – with a potential return to our TV screens. Last seen as a judge on The Greatest Dancer in 2020, we’re told the Girls Aloud star – who has stepped away from the limelight in recent years – is trying to get back into the swing of things career-wise, which has included having talks with her former boss Simon Cowell about joining Britain’s Got Talent.
Simon recently hinted that he would like to work with Cheryl again, after revealing how he first offered Amanda Holden’s judging job on the ITV show to the singer. He said, ‘We’d offered the role to Cheryl Cole, as she was known in those days. A week before filming, she calls me and goes, “I just can’t do it”, and wouldn’t give me a reason. I think she was freaked out.’
As heat reported last week, it’s been rumoured this could be Amanda’s last year on BGT, as she prepares to spread her wings and explore new opportunities after the success of her BBC shows Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job and Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job. She has also recently signed up to host quiz show The Inner Circle, while her dating series, Cheaters: Unfinished Business, is set to air on Netflix later this year.
Amid speculation that the fourth seat on the judging panel could be free in the future, we’re told Cheryl – who’s been trying to keep things together for her seven-year-old son Bear in the wake of his dad Liam Payne’s tragic death in October – is being eyed to step in, after Simon reached out to her to pledge his support.
‘They have obviously been back in touch with one another recently, albeit under very sad circumstances. But Simon wants to help Cheryl achieve anything she wants to put her mind to,’ an insider says. ‘He has even said she would be welcome on any of his shows, including Britain’s Got Talent. It's still early days, but Cheryl really appreciates the support as they obviously have a very long history together.’
The pair worked together on The X Factor from 2008 to 2010, but fell out when Simon sacked Cheryl from The X Factor USA in 2011. However, she eventually forgave her mentor and returned to the UK show in 2014, as well as making an appearance in 2017 to be at Simon’s side for the Judge’s Houses stage. ‘I miss her,’ Simon said of Cheryl last April. ‘We had great fun working together. I would work with her again in the future with the right show because I think she was a really, really good judge.’
After reuniting at One Direction star Liam’s funeral in November, our source says Cheryl, 41, is now open to rekindling her on-screen partnership with Simon, 65. ‘It was Simon who saw such huge potential in Cheryl back in the early days, and although they’ve certainly had their ups and downs, Simon is like a family member to Cheryl,’ we’re told. ‘She’s said to him that if it’s something that makes sense, she would absolutely consider getting on board. She’s not 100% sure about taking a seat on BGT, but she’s not ruling it out, either.
‘She absolutely loved performing with Girls Aloud, and she would be happy to do something that is in her comfort zone when it comes to music and television. Her pals think she and Simon could cook up something very special together. But it’s still baby steps for Cheryl, as she focuses on Bear and just getting herself back up on her feet. Right now, she’s not feeling like she wants to take any major risks.’
However, it’s all about the right timing for Cheryl. The source adds, ‘Cheryl has always loved how Simon’s mind works. He’s always got a few tricks up his sleeve and a cheeky glint in his eye, and the idea of them working together at some point has given Cheryl a glimmer of hope and something to smile about in the future.
‘It’s fantastic knowing she has someone like Simon still in her corner, who’s ready to cheer her on from the sidelines.’
