World News: Cheryl axed as new X Factor judge over accent concerns

Cheryl Cole was today reported to have been dropped as a judge on the US version of The X Factor.

Celebrity website TMZ.com quoted unnamed sources as saying Cole, 27, was being replaced by former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger in the new Fox Television venture created by Simon Cowell.

It claimed the Girls Aloud star was dropped because producers feared that her northern English accent would be too difficult for American audiences to understand.

The much-hyped X Factor is the highlight of Fox's autumn TV schedule.

The judging panel was finalised just three weeks ago.

Cole is barely known in the United States, despite being a household name in Britain, but she had been one of Cowell's top choices for the show. A source close to Cole told another celebrity website, US Weekly: "It's true. She isn't on the show anymore.

"Everyone is gobsmacked. This came out of nowhere. She had already been tested countless times.

"Simon had nothing to do with it. This is the network's doing."

Fox said it had no information, but a show source was quoted claiming Cole was "homesick".

Tears as Oprah says goodbye

AN emotional Oprah Winfrey took to the stage alone for the final episode of her US talk show, talking to viewers about what they have meant to her during its 25-year run. Fans leaving the show, recorded in Chicago, said Winfrey had tears in her eyes as she said a final thank you.

Democracy boost at G8

COUNTRIES at the forefront of the "Arab Spring" will receive more financial and political backing under plans being floated by Barack Obama and David Cameron.

The Prime Minister and US president were expected to suggest bolstering support for states that turn to democracy.

The two-day G8 gathering in Deauville, France, is set to cover uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East, Afghanistan, global economic development and nuclear safety.

Tornadoes wreak more havoc

MORE powerful storms have roared through middle America, with tornadoes touching down in isolated spots and severe thunderstorms threatening several states. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches and a series of warnings in a dozen states, stretching north west from Texas to Ohio.

Bombs rock Chinese city

THREE explosions, some from car bombs, went off within half an hour outside government buildings in Fuzhou city in south China today, injuring at least five people.

A farmer unhappy about the government's handling of a dispute was said to be the culprit.

US cuts troop numbers after Pakistan call

Pakistan: The US is reducing the number of its troops in Pakistan at the country's request after the killing of Osama bin Laden. Staff who had been pulled out had been training Pakistani forces in counter-uprising skills.

Denmark: Marmite's makers have been urged by their local MEP to apply for a licence to sell the product in Denmark and end a temporary ban on the spread. The application could be rejected if Marmite contains too many added vitamins.