Sarah Harding will be one of the celebrity judges on new Sky 1 talent show ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’.
The Girls Aloud singer – who recently endured a spell in rehab to be treated for alcoholism – will be one of a number of celebrities sitting on the panel on ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, which starts on Sky1 next month.
Sarah, alongside ‘Dancing On Ice’ judge Louie Spence, DJ Chris Moyles and former cricketer Freddie Flintoff, will join host Amanda Byram in giving their opinions on acts’ performances on the wacky show before the audience votes for their favourite.
The losing act will then exit the programme in an unconventional way – either being dropped through a trap door or shot off stage in a bungee rope.
Audiences have keypads that they can push to have the contestants ejected.
Host Amanda said: “I’m so thrilled to be a part of such a fun, exciting, new talent show.
“We’re hoping to find some serious talent along the way, but contestants be warned! One bum note or bad joke and your hopes and dreams of success will be literally swept away from you, with a dramatic departure from the show.”
The eventual series winner will scoop a £35,000 prize.
Cheryl Cole better than Nicole says X Factor USA critics
Cheryl Cole has been given a huge boost by US critics after they backed her over ‘downgrade’ replacement Nicole Scherzinger after the first episode of X Factor USA went to air.
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl was axed from the Fox show in May in favour of the Pussycat Dolls singer, but still appears in the opening episode.
Critical reaction to her judging skills on Simon Cowell’s stateside X Factor has been fairly positive, saying that she is ‘much more interesting than Scherzinger’.
One particularly scathing review in the New York Times labelled the Pussycat Doll ‘not much more than a seat warmer.’
The review read: ‘In the premiere Cheryl just kind of disappears mid show, without much explanation, and suddenly Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls is in her chair. It’s a downgrade.
‘Ms Cole showed glimmers of being interesting; in two seasons as a judge on The Sing-Off on NBC, Ms Scherzinger was a pretty face but, judicially speaking, not much more than a seat warmer.’
The Chicago Tribune was similarly disapproving of Scherzinger, saying: ‘Scherzinger doesn’t come off as an obvious improvement’, while the LA Times wrote: ‘On a first impression, she [Cole] is much more interesting than Scherzinger, if only for her fabulous Geordie accent.’
Music mogul Simon Cowell took the decision to sack Cole from the show after it was feared she would not connect with US audiences, leaving her jobless in the X Factor franchise on both sides of the Atlantic.
But it seems Cowell may have made the wrong decision in hiring Scherzinger as a replacement, with the 33-year-old criticised for being ‘more interested in tearing up and out-glamming Pop Idol’s Jennifer Lopez than bringing much to the commentary.’
HUMILIATED X Factor favourite Cheryl Cole could make a sensational comeback to the show.
ITV chiefs hope Cheryl Cole will help her replacement Tulisa Contostavlos at the judges’ houses phase of The X Factor.
The nation’s sweetheart was left without a judging spot on both the US and British shows after her move to America ended in tears.
But she could make a ratings-winning return this year if N-Dubz star Tulisa and show chiefs get their way.
Our X Factor source revealed: “Producers are desperate to bring Cheryl back in some way or another.
“One option being discussed is for her to come back for the judges’ homes week.
“Theoretically, she could help out Gary Barlow or Tulisa because she is good friends with them both. But the general consensus is that Tulisa would be better.”
Telly bosses talked about bringing her in as a fifth judge for the live semi-final and final but that position will now go to boss Simon Cowell, 51.
But bigwigs are determined to entice Cheryl, 28, back. Tulisa, 23, has now become the obvious choice after N-Dubz were banned from appearing because they bad-mouthed the talent contest.
Our insider added: “Cheryl has already been offered the chance to come back and mentor the contestants during the live rounds.
“There’s also talk she could perform with one of the contestants for the grand final.
“Cheryl basically has any option to return she wants, apart from as a judge. The theory behind helping Tulisa pick her contestants is that it would show the nation Cheryl isn’t bitter about Tulisa replacing her on the panel.”
Beyoncé has already agreed to help out ex-Destiny’s Child band mate Kelly Rowland. JLS or Jedward are being lined up to help Louis Walsh and it is rumoured Gary will be joined by someone from Take That.
Here’s a lovely video of Cheryl and The X Factor US team at FOX TV Upfronts on 16th May 2011. Shows a few little clips of the first 2 days of the US X Factor auditions including clips of Cheryl Cole.
Cheryl Cole is reportedly the BBC’s top choice for the judging panel on the UK version of ‘The Voice’. The Girls Aloud singer, who was last month axed from ‘The X Factor USA’, may already be in discussions for the role via her management, according to Metro.
A source is quoted: “She is still lying low at the moment but there have been conversations with her management and things are moving forward. The BBC are hopeful she will commit.”
It was announced yesterday (Friday) that BBC One will debut ‘The Voice’ in 2012, following the Dutch format’s success in the US.
BBC One controller Danny Cohen said: “I’m absolutely delighted that ‘The Voice’ will be coming to the BBC. It’s a big, exciting and warm-hearted series and will be a fantastic Saturday night event on BBC One.”
Cheryl Cole had previously been tipped to defect to the BBC for ‘The Voice’. A source at the singer’s record label had said: “Universal are heavily involved in recruiting judges for ‘The Voice’ when it moves to the BBC and they are urging Cheryl to be the big star of that show.”
Meanwhile, Robbie Williams has also been rumoured to become a judge on the BBC One show as a possible rival to his Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, who has joined ITV’s ‘The X Factor’.
