Cheryl's TV deal sealed with a X

Girls Aloud beauty Cheryl Cole is the latest celeb to be lined up as the next judge of The X Factor, we can reveal.

According to sources close to the ITV show's top brass, the 23- year-old singer could be joining Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne as one of the new stars of the programme.

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We're told: "Cheryl is perfect for the job because she has been through the reality television experience.

"She is the only judge to have been on the receiving end of the sometimes harsh comments, and she is aware how hard you have to work to make it from being on a show like The X Factor to being a successful popstar.

Cheryl is also totty and her star status is growing by the day. She has a great profile."

Reality TV fans will remember Cheryl's road to stardom four-and-a-half years ago when she auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals.

She beat off thousands of hopefuls to join fellow winners Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle in Girls Aloud.

Since then, they have become the biggest girl band since the Spice Girls.

But it isn't just her singing career which has added to her celebrity status. Last summer, Cheryl married Chelsea ace Ashley Cole after dating for just under three years.

They are one of showbiz's most popular couples and Cheryl has even made friends with the world's most famous WAG, Victoria Beckham.

Last month, Cheryl was approached to star in Britain's Got Talent - the British version of the American show, America's Got Talent.

However, the timings were wrong because she didn't feel she could take time away from the band's forthcoming tour.

She told us: "I had four other girls to think about so I just couldn't do it."

But, The X Factor show will come at the right time.

Our perfectly placed source revealed: "Cheryl is anxious to stay in the band so she will only consider offers that won't interfere with their schedule."

Sinitta and Danni Minogue have also been linked as possible judges.