IN a follow up to our Christmas cover story (See mother, we really are journalists), Cheryl Cole is ready to join the American X Factor after passing the final hurdle, winning over the Fox Network bosses.

Apparently the bosses were unconvinced by her Geordie accent, but Fox boss Peter Rice  told reporters that “If Cheryl was to be on the show, I think she’s proved that she’s a terrific judge.”

Unlike those terrible American remakes of international shows (see side story), the format will stay pretty much the same. “It will be four judges as it is in England – It’s two men, two women… one of which will be Simon,” Peter confirmed. The identities of the two men were not revealed.

Cole has already been making good preparations for life in Los Angeles by bagging herself American dancer Derek Hough.

Ladies, you’re going to have to google Derek as we’ve made the judgement call to feature Cheryl to accompany the article. Nice.