Cheryl Cole set for £1.2m X Factor return?

Los Angeles - Cheryl Cole reportedly wants over £1.2m to return to The X Factor.

The star is said to be in line to reprise her role as a judge after she was sacked from the US version of the singing competition in 2011, and she could receive a ''massive payday'' to make her return to Simon Cowell's show in the UK.

An insider told The Sun on Sunday, ''Simon would take Cheryl back in a flash."

''It will be a triumphant return and a massive payday.''

Cole might save bad ratings

The pair's relationship has thawed recently, and they have held secret talks this month as plans begin to be put into place for her proposed return to save the show from floundering ratings.

The source added, ''It's significant that they're talking - they've fallen out in the past and this period of peace makes her return a matter of when, rather than if.''

Formal negotiations are set for early next year, although it has been insisted the show's priority is on its current series.

A spokesman said, ''We are focusing on the current series and no decisions have been made for next year.''

Simon could also make a return

Despite this, Simon has recently admitted both he and Cheryl could make a sensational return to the show. He previously said, ''I will at some point. I still miss that, I mean that show is my baby... Cheryl and I patched up our differences a long time ago.

''I saw her recently, we speak a lot on the phone and text each other, and I think both of us would like the idea of working together again.

''She was a great judge. I mean, apart from being cute she's a great judge and she knows what she's talking about and, oh my God, she wears her heart on her sleeve!''