Cheryl Cole used for X Factor publicity?

Lots of theories have been floating around following the sacking of Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole from the judging panel of the American X Factor. Now, Jeff Haddad, ex-manager of Nicole Scherzinger, who is replacing Cheryl, said that the bosses of the show used Girls Aloud singer for publicity.

“In my opinion, Simon Cowell always wanted Nicole as a judge. There was never a question that she wouldn"t get it. Nicole was always going to be on that panel. Cheryl was just being used as a cog in the wheel to cause hype and publicise the show," the Daily Mirror quoted Jeff as saying.

He added that Cheryl's name didn't come up during the discussion. “I had long discussions with Simon about her judging the US show and she was always a front-runner. Cheryl"s name never came into it and Nicole was never supposed to be a host. Her hosting the show was never even mentioned," he said.

Well, Nicole Scherzinger will join Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid on the judging panel of US X Factor.