Nicole Scherzinger has backtracked on her plan to leave U.K. TV singing contest The X Factor, setting up a battle with Cheryl for a judge's seat.

The former Pussycat Dolls star, 39, returned to the show's panel this year (17) after a previous two season stint that ended in 2013.

Despite previously hinting her role was for one series only, she has now said she is minded to accept an offer to return.

According to Britain's Daily Star newspaper she told U.K. chat show host Jonathan Ross, "I'd love to come back if you would have me back...They have asked me back so hopefully everything will work out."

Hinting that she was enjoying her time on the show she added, "When I commit to The X Factor I put 1,000 per cent into it, so all of my energy, I don't get to do music or be in the studio which is my heart, all of my energy goes into the contestants so I'm just focusing on this year, not messing up and hopefully having another winner."

Her U-turn comes after sources close to the show had suggested Cheryl, 34, who has had two previous judging stints herself, was being targeted by The X Factor boss Simon Cowell for a sensational return.

"It looks like Cheryl will be back next year," the insider told British newspaper The Sun. "Simon knows Nicole is likely to leave and he wants a big name, and some much-needed glamour on the panel.

"He knows he will get that with Cheryl and she would be a really popular signing and a huge hit. Simon has had his own problems lately but has been really keen to get the deal nailed down."

Simon missed one weekend's worth of shows last month (Oct17) after fainting at his home and suffering a concussion, with Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon replacing him and joining Nicole, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne on the panel.

Speaking to the Daily Star, a show source said no final decisions had been made as to the shape of next year's (18) line-up.