Simon Cowell 'in talks to reinstate Cheryl Cole'

There has yet to be official confirmation about Cole's position on the US show

Simon Cowell is in talks with US X Factor producers to get Cheryl Cole reinstated as a judge, his publicist has told the BBC News website.

Max Clifford said discussions were going on "at the highest level" between Cowell, FremantleMedia and Fox TV.

"Simon's position is clear - he wants her to be on the show if that's possible," Clifford said.

It was reported last week Cole had been dropped from the US show, although it was not officially confirmed.

"The reason Simon hasn't said anything is because he has been working to try and make sure she is on the show," Clifford said.

"But obviously there's other important people involved in this decision in America and they've all got to be happy.

"Hopefully the situation will be clarified as soon as possible, because it's been as clear as mud for the last week - but talking to him a couple of hours ago, I think that's a pretty fair summary of where we are," he added.

The News of the World reported on Sunday that Cole would be returning to the US judging panel later this week.

However a spokesman for the singer told the BBC he had "no comment to make" on the claim.

'No publicity stunt'

Nicole Scherzinger (second left), originally lined up to host the show, was reportedly replacing Cole

Clifford said that although Cowell wanted Cole on the show, he did not have the final say and "in two or three hours time it could change and they could announce she's not going to be on it".

The publicist also denied the uncertainty over the Girls Aloud singer's position on the judging panel was a publicity stunt.

"It's not a good publicity stunt and you don't need it," he said.

"When you've got such a hot show and so much at stake you really don't need [this publicity] because if it looks as if there's a weak link or problems, it doesn't excite and have the desired effect."

"Right now the last thing Cheryl Cole would have wanted would have been all of this," he added.

After months of speculation, it was confirmed last month that Cole had landed the coveted spot on the judging panel alongside Cowell, former American Idol judge Paula Abdul and music producer Antonio LA Reid.

However entertainment website TMZ said sources claimed producers dropped the singer amid concerns her Newcastle accent was too strong for US audiences.