Cheryl Cole will be offered the chance to be a mentor on the US version of The X Factor, according to reports.

The Girls Aloud star had been tipped to become a judge on the programme, but US TV bosses apparently fear she is not famous enough in America.

According to The Sun, if Simon Cowell fails to land her the judging role, which she currently holds on the US version, then she will be given the chance to mentor contestants.

"Every day it looks more and more unlikely that Cheryl will get her dream job - so Simon is looking at alternative,” a source said.

"The mentor role is one idea. She knows what it's like to audition as she was discovered on Popstars: The Rivals."

Mariah Carey and Nicole Scherzinger have both been singled out as potential X Factor judges. The programme is due to start in September.

(by Jason Gregory)