CHERYL’S RETURN CAUSES CHAOS
Simon’s got Chez by his side again
As much as we love the current line-up of X Factor judges, something has been missing this series. Something Geordie and Cheryl-shaped. Which is why we’re buzzing about the singer’s return as Simon Cowell’s guest at Judges’ Houses later this month. And if that isn’t exciting enough, she’ll also have baby Bear in tow.
“Simon has really been pulling out the stops to get Cheryl to agree to her X Factor comeback and knows it will be TV gold,” says our set insider. “The destination is yet to be confirmed, but it’s between his house in LA or somewhere in the South of France. Either way, Cheryl will be bringing Bear, as she can fit filming in around him and his routine. If it’s in LA, she can stay at boyfriend Liam’s house over there and he may be able to join them if his schedule allows it. If it’s in France, it’s only a short flight, and she’ll only need to be away for a couple of days.
“If Liam can’t make it, her mum Joan may come along to help out with Bear. Cheryl can’t wait to make her big TV comeback – she’s looking better than ever and feeling very confident.”
heat was the first to break the news in July of the 34 year old’s
X Factor return and it was all but confirmed last week, with Sinitta revealing she’d been dumped to make room. And Sinitta isn’t the only one put out by Cheryl’s new role – we’re told judge Nicole Scherzinger isn’t impressed.
As we revealed last month, Nicole, 39, has been feeling “ganged up on” by Simon this series as he, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh continue to stir up drama to boost ratings. And friends say hiring her arch rival is another blow.
“Nicole is fuming,” says an insider close to the singer, who replaced the sacked Girls Aloud star on the judging panel of the US X Factor in 2011. “Show bosses didn’t tell Nicole that Cheryl was coming back and, although they won’t be filming together, she’s really annoyed. Nicole feels very competitive with Cheryl and feels like this is Simon playing yet more games with her.”
If we needed any more evidence that an engagement announcement between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may be imminent, look no further than these loved-up pictures of their first official appearance together. Walking hand-in-hand as they attended the Invictus Games – which was set up by Harry for injured servicemen and women – in Toronto, it was yet more proof that their relationship is serious after just over a year of dating.
In fact, we’ve heard they may already be engaged, though nothing will be made official until the Queen has given her blessing. With speculation rife that the wedding could take place as early as next summer, Meghan is already planning what her big day would look like.
“Meghan has an idea of what she wants for her wedding, and even though she would be restricted to royal protocol, it won’t be as strict as when Kate Middleton married Prince William as he’s second-inline for the throne,” our source says. “Meghan has been married before, but that was a low-key affair and this will be more formal – although she will still want it to reflect her and Harry’s personalities. And the dress will play a big role.”
Yes, the dress. Just about every designer in the world is desperate to design Meghan’s gown, and we’ve been told there are three likely contenders: Sarah Burton, Victoria Beckham and the relatively unknown Julia Suzuki.
“Sarah Burton created Kate’s dress in 2011 for the Alexander Mcqueen label and she would definitely be a frontrunner,” our insider adds. “But Meghan would be wary of using the same designer because she wouldn’t want the comparisons. Victoria Beckham would love to do it and last year created her friend Eva Longoria’s dress – but she’s not that experienced in bridalwear. And, although Julia Suzuki is not famed for her wedding dresses, Meghan is a big fan of her work.”
Despite being an American, we’re told the 36-year-old Suits actress would want to use a British designer as a nod to the family she’ll be marrying into. “She wouldn’t want to have anyone too obvious, that’s not her style, but a British designer is important to her,” our insider continues.
Meghan married her first husband, Trevor Engelson, in Jamaica in 2011 and her nuptials to Harry, 33, would be a lot different from their beach party.
“An exact date and venue is yet to be set,” heat’s been told. “But Westminster Abbey, where Kate and Wills got married, is not looking likely. Instead, they may opt for somewhere smaller such as St George’s Chapel in Windsor or the Queen’s Chapel at St James’ Palace. They will have some rules to stick to about the order of the day, but one thing’s for sure, there’ll be a great party afterwards.” n