Nicole Scherzinger to be judge on the UK X Factor

Nicole Scherzinger had been a guest judge at the UK auditions

Nicole Scherzinger has been confirmed as a permanent judge on the new series of The X Factor.

The former Pussycat Doll singer was on the panel of the US version last year but has now been replaced by Britney Spears and Demi Lovato.

The UK show had been trying out different judges during the auditions, with Nicole, Geri Halliwell, Leona Lewis and Rita Ora all appearing.

Talks with Dannii Minogue to return to the series ended unsuccessfully in May.

Nicole Scherzinger will join the returning panel of Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos in a deal worth a reported £750,000.

"I'm so excited to join the UK X Factor family," said the 33-year-old.

"It's where I got my start, so it feels great to come full circle.

"I can't wait to see what talent the UK has to offer and to help inspire and bring out the best in these artists."

Nicole had previously appeared as a guest judge on the UK show in 2010.

However her time on US X Factor ended after the show's debut season fell short of Simon Cowell's prediction of 20 million viewers.

Nicole and Paula Abdul were ditched in favour of Disney star Demi Lovato and Britney Spears.

The vacant judge's chair on the UK show came up after former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland ruled herself out.

Nicole will start her new job on 18 June when the auditions arrive in Newcastle and she'll also be in Cardiff on 25 June for the final date of the tour.

The X Factor returns to ITV at the end of the summer.