US 'X Factor' gags Cheryl Cole as part of £1.2 million payout deal

Cheryl Cole could pocket £1.2 million for four days’ work, if she keeps silent over her US X Factor exit.
 
According to the Daily Mirror, Cole may be paid her full contract despite being axed in the first week, but in return she must agree not to bad-mouth the show or Simon Cowell in public.

The deal would mean that the 27-year-old could collect a golden goodbye worth 25,000 pounds an hour.

“Cheryl is going to be paid off if things go to plan. The last thing we need is someone with an axe to grind saying bad things about the show before it even starts,” a source said.

“We hope a simple statement can be released next week and that will be the end of it. It’s is an incredible amount of money for four days’ work, but this is a multi-million dollar show with so much invested, it will be worth it. If she takes the money she is effectively agreeing to a gag,” the source added.

Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger has replaced Cole in the reality television singing competition.