Simon Cowell is desperate for Cheryl Cole to return to 'The X Factor'.
The music mogul - who worked with the Geordie beauty on three series of the ITV1 talent show before the duo left to become judges on the US version of the programme - is keen for the Girls Aloud star to reprise her role and take over from Kelly Rowland on the panel.
A source close to Simon - who axed Cheryl from the US series after just four audition rounds - said: "Cheryl is part of 'The X Factor' family. Formal discussions have yet to take place but if she wants to come back she would be welcome with open arms."
Despite falling out last year over Cheryl's controversial US axing, the pair have since made it up and Simon has previously admitted he wants her to resume her judging role.
When asked if he wanted her to return, Simon said: "For sure, if she wanted - 1000 per cent. I think she probably misses me."
Simon thinks last year's panel - Kelly, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh - weren't bold enough and while ITV bosses would welcome Cheryl back they don't want to make too many changes as they don't want viewers to be confused.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "We didn't touch 'Blind Date' for 17 years and that did alright."
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