The real reason for Cheryl’s X Factor U-turn

As a new war surfaces between Cheryl and Sinitta, pals reveal why the star has returned to the show

As multiple reports claim Cheryl has replaced Sinitta on this year’s X Factor for the Judges’ Houses stage, pals say it’s prompted a fresh war between the former Girls Aloud star and the ’80s singing sensation – who told her BFF Simon Cowell to “kiss my black ass” after axing her.

Sinitta, 53, has been Simon’s sidekick on the show for years and, earlier this year, she warned “perfect” Cheryl to “stay in her lane” amid rumours the music mogul had asked her to be his guest judge.

A pal says, “Sinitta is fuming and sent Cheryl a message saying she felt betrayed by her and how she’d broken the “girl code”.

NOTHING PERSONAL

The source adds, “Cheryl insisted this was merely a professional decision Simon had taken and she didn’t want to be part of the spat. She said she loved Sinitta, but sometimes you just have to swallow these things as she has herself in the past.

“Cheryl told Sinitta to not take it personally, but Sinitta said she couldn’t help not to.”

The mum-of-one, 34, vowed never to do the show again after she was sacked from the US version in 2011. But she returned to the UK series in 2014 and, after leaving again two years later, pals say her latest U-turn is part of a bid to win back over the public ahead of her music comeback.

The star, who shares sixmonth-old Bear with boyfriend Liam Payne, 24, faced a backlash recently when she revealed her newly toned abs – with fans criticising her for making other mums feel “inferior” for showing off her “unrealistic” post-baby body.

A source reveals, “Cheryl thought long and hard about returning to the show after Simon first asked her to come back and she eventually decided it was in her best interest given it was The X Factor that turned her into the nation’s sweetheart and she needs all the public support she can get right now.

CONFIDENCE BOOST

“She’s hoping her appearance on the show will give her a muchneeded confidence boost and, as she’s planning to relaunch her music career, she feels Judges’ Houses is a good platform to get herself firmly back in the limelight, but without the stress of being on the judging panel.”

Simon, 57, famously fell out with his former protégé, 1D star Liam, after he signed to a different record label to launch his solo career – with the music mogul then revealing back in June how he hadn’t spoken to Cheryl in six months.

But insiders say they’ve since made up after Cheryl reached out following his revelation.

A source says, “Cheryl held out an olive branch and invited him and his girlfriend Lauren over for dinner and to meet Bear, and Simon got a chance to talk things through with Liam.

“They’re all on good terms and Cheryl is excited to be returning to the show that gave her career such a huge boost – she’s just hoping it has the same affect this time around.”

❛SHE NEEDS ALL THE PUBLIC SUPPORT SHE CAN GET RIGHT NOW❜