Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly signed up for another year on 'The X Factor'.

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger

The 38-year-old star's position on the ITV show was thought to have been in jeopardy, with Mariah Carey rumoured to be in line to replace her, but Nicole is now reportedly set to return to 'The X Factor' later this year after she held talks with Simon Cowell over the weekend.

A source said: "Nicole is so highly thought off by 'X Factor' that there was always the intention to tie her down for another year.

"Once she heard other names being mentioned, she was keen to get her deal locked down and it's now there to sign."

Despite this, Mariah - whose representatives are said to have approached 'The X Factor' about a place on the show - could still appear alongside Nicole when the programme returns to TV screens later in 2017.

The source told The Sun newspaper: "Mariah's name is still in the frame and, given it's 'X Factor', it's safer not to rule anything out."

Mariah's chances of appearing on the show are said to be largely dependent on Sharon Osbourne, who is battling a long-standing back problem as well as a potential scheduling conflict with her US TV show 'The Talk'.

And if both Sharon and Mariah transpire to be unobtainable for ITV bosses, former judge Mel B could be in line for a surprise return, having previously starred on the show in 2014.

The 41-year-old former Spice Girl is currently in the midst of divorcing her husband Stephen Belafonte, and so her return to the proramme would be sure to attract lots of attention.

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