'X Factor's Simon Cowell denies Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland swap

The X Factor co-creator Simon Cowell has dismissed suggestions that US judge Nicole Scherzinger and UK judge Kelly Rowland will swap jobs next year.

Last weekend, an X Factor insider said Cowell felt Rowland would fit in better on the US judging panel with LA Reid and Paula Abdul, while Scherzinger would be more at ease with UK panelists Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos.

However, Cowell has now said there is no truth to the rumours and insisted that he is not considering any judging changes as of now.

"No, it's not true," he revealed to ET Online.

Cowell then added jokingly: "I think Kelly maybe in poor ol' Nicole's position would have been a better choice. But you know what, they're stuck to what they're paid to do, but I'm just not very happy [with Nicole criticising my acts]."

Scherzinger also denied that she had been approached to join The X Factor UK, saying: "There's rumours every week on X Factor. That's just another rumour."

The former Pussycat Dolls singer recently described the X Factor USA panel as a "good mix" because each judge all brings unique expertise to the programme.

On last night's edition of The X Factor USA, Cowell's act Drew Ryniewicz and Reid's young rapper Astro became the sixth and seventh contestants to be eliminated.

The X Factor USA continues on Wednesday (December 7) at 8/7c on Fox, while The X Factor UK airs Saturday (December 3) at 8pm on ITV1.