Cheryl Cole is worried about losing her job to Nicole Scherzinger

New reports claim Cheryl is concerned Nicole Scherzinger is ‘stealing her life’.

Cheryl Cole is reportedly worried that Nicole Scherzinger could be given her seat on the X Factor judging panel permanently.

The 3 Words singer, who was forced to miss the boot camp phase of the competition after contracting malaria, allegedly wanted Girls Aloud member and close friend Kimberley Walsh to stand in for her, but Nicole was chosen instead.

Now, Chezza fears that the Pussycat Dolls star was such a hit on the panel, she could lose her job altogether.

A source told heat magazine: “She wanted to help her close friend get more airtime and thought she’d be a perfect stand-in.”

They continued: “She also knew Kimberley would keep her seat warm until she was better. Now, she’s terrified Nicole will replace her permanently.”

Cheryl is said to be so concerned that Scherzinger will replace her that she is determined to return to the show as soon as possible, with some reports suggesting she be back as early as this Friday.