London, Jul 3 (ANI): ‘The X Factor’ co-judge Cheryl Cole is said to have been specially chosen by music mogul Simon Cowell to front a US version of the show.

Senior NBC executives are due to fly to Manchester this weekend to see Cole, 26, in action at the live auditions.

“Simon is on the brink of signing a deal to take The X Factor to America and, if he gets his way, Cheryl will be its star,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

“He thinks she has amazing presence and her down-to-earth Northern charm will appeal to the American public. She is also an incredibly beautiful girl.

“She won’t get paid anything like the million pound salary she’s on here, because obviously she is not as well known in the States.

“But if it is a success, like most of Simon’s shows are, it could catapult her into the big league,” the source added.

Cowell, 49, who has an estimated fortune of 120million pounds, will not be able to appear on the show, as he is tied into a deal with rival network Fox for American Idol.

He has already announced he plans to quit after the next series of X Factor, and has made it clear that he wants Cole to step into his shoes and become the main face of the show. (ANI)