CHERYL Cole has landed a £3million deal to be a judge on the American version of The X Factor.

The Geordie beauty, 27, has been told she has won the race to join show guru Simon Cowell in the States next year.

An American source said: “The execs love her good looks and the way she wears her heart on her sleeve.”

The deal could be a golden ticket to world superstardom, pals said last night. The one-year contract will make her a household name on both sides of the Atlantic.

She has already secured a deal to release her second solo album Messy Little Raindrops in the States next year. Helping launch The X Factor there may well make it a global hit — earning her millions more in extra sales and promotional work.

A source said: “It’s a dream come true.”

Cheryl met with bigwigs from US network Fox in London and Los Angeles in recent weeks. But she has been back in Britain beside fellow judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue for the X Factor climax.

Fox bosses were in London to watch her in action on Saturday night before they finally rubber-stamped the deal.

Cowell then broke the news to Cheryl. The US TV source revealed: “Cheryl was absolutely delighted.

“She has really charmed the American execs. They love her good looks and the way she wears her heart on her sleeve. And of course her chemistry with Simon played a huge part in it. They are great together.”

Cowell, 51, left his judging role on American Idol to prepare for the US launch of The X Factor. Filming will start in spring and the show will be broadcast in the run-up to Christmas.

Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, who performed on Saturday’s UK show and was a guest judge earlier in the series, is also in the running.

Cheryl is yet to sign the contract and there are still some details to iron out but she has been told the role is hers.

An X Factor spokesman refused to confirm the deal last night.

Source