‘The X Factor’ UK: Nicole Scherzinger close to a lock to returning

It is interesting to see how much being in a different place can change someone, even a judge on a reality TV. Last year on “The X Factor” USA, Nicole Scherzinger was basically the pariah of the show: she was overly nice to everyone, she felt uncomfortable, and her vote against Rachel Crow was one of the most ridiculous decisions in the history of any version of this show. However, in the UK this year she has flourished; not only has she come across as an honest judge, but she also has shown a knack for knowing how to get headlines and to get people interested in what she has to say. (Granted, someone should still tell her to stop dancing during the artists’ performances.)

So with this improvement in mind, should it really come as much of a surprise that Simon Cowell is already hoping to bring her back?  According to Female First, a source close to the show says that Nicole is almost sure to get a second crack at the show so long as she continues to love being there:

“It is fair to say that Simon and the production team have been thrilled with Nicole’s performance. She has been absolutely great. Simon is a huge fan of hers and the production team think she has been a revelation. There won’t be any decision on the make-up of the 2013 panel until next year but she has certainly made a good impression.”

We are sure that producers are probably going to shake up the judging panel somewhat for the new year considering the lower ratings, and it could even include bringing Simon back as a judge. We already know that Gary Barlow is not entirely thrilled with the direction this season has taken, and fans are chomping at the bit to see Louis Walsh gone. As for Tulisa, we wonder if she is really enjoying the competition anymore now that all of her acts are gone, since she mostly spent the past week’s show scowling on the panel.

Do you think more Nicole is a good thing, and are you as surprised as we are to even be saying that?