Nicole Scherzinger: `I hope Cheryl Cole made the right decisions`

The former Pussycat Doll, 32, has taken over Cheryl's slot as a judge on the US show since the British singer was reportedly axed and refused to return to the UK version.

Arriving for her second day of auditions as a judge, Scherzinger told The Mirror that she hasn't stayed in touch with her predecessor, and insisted that she didn't know any more than anyone else about what went on behind the scenes.

'I haven't spoken to Cheryl but she is a lovely, talented, sweet girl,' she told the newspaper last night.

'I don't know how it went down. I found out at the same time as everyone else. I just turned up for work and I'm happy to be here. I just hope she has made the right decisions for her.'

An insider said the relationship between Scherzinger and her fellow judge Paula Abdul seems to be better as the two women aren't competing for Simon Cowell's attention.

'Nicole seems more at home with Paula and other judge L.A Reid and she isn't slow in coming forward with her opinions,' said the insider.

'Nicole and Paula seem to get on well and they are not fighting for Simon Cowell's attention in the way Paula and Cheryl were.

'Bosses want to move on and brush Chery's four days of auditions under the carpet.'