Former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole to perform on rival The Voice
Happy Days... Cheryl and Simon had a good relationship - once
Cheryl Cole is set to give her former mentor Simon Cowell a huge kick in the teeth by performing on bitter rival talent show The Voice.
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Everybodys favourite Geordie star is being lined up to sing on the BBCs flagship programme, which goes head-to-head with Britains Got Talent in a colossal ratings battle this spring.
And her manager Black Eyed Peas Will.i.am tells me exclusively that hes thrilled to be annoying the big dawg himself Simon Cowell in the process.
Will, who is on The Voices judging panel revealed: I want her on the Voice. I mean why not? That would really p*** the big man off wouldnt it.
This is her year by the way - Cheryl is back! You all gonna love her new music - its on it, on the money.
The move will no doubt infuriate Cowell, 52, who has already said he believes the Beeb have declared war on him and ITV by pitting their show directly against BGT.
Elegant: Cheryl has been working material
Cowell said: It is 100 per cent a declaration of war. They launched The Voice because they dont like BGT and X Factor being successful.
And the 28-year-old Geordies appearance on the BBC will really hurt him as he feels he gave the Fight For This Love singer her big break. Even though he sacked her from the US X Factor he still wanted her back on the UK X Factor but Will.i.am blocked the move.
He wouldnt let Cheryl call Simon and the production team, says my source. Simon and all the producers were gutted.
The US rapper fanned the flames again last week when he belittled the ITV1 show, saying: Cheryl wont do X Factor. Why does she need it?
Last night a TV source said: Cheryl has been working on new material for months. She is determined to relaunch herself as a credible artist and The Voice will be the perfect platform to showcase her latest tracks.
The fact her manager is on the judging panel means its an absolute no-brainer for her.
The BBC paid huge sums to form a celebrity panel including Will.i.am, Tom Jones, Jessie J and Danny ODonoghue from The Script.
I went down to see the show and Im genuinely excited for it. It works. Its fresh. And theres genuine talent. Thank God.