After reports circulating last week claimed that Cheryl Cole had been approached to replace Jennifer Lopez on American Idol next year (read original article here), both Cole and the execs of the US mothership reality talent show have both come forward to deny the rumours.

It was believed that Simon Fuller, American Idol creator, and arch nemesis of X Factor‘s Simon Cowell, had been in advanced stages of contract negotiation with our nations sweetheart, Cheryl, after she was sensationally axed by Cowell in this years X Factor US, partly to point score against his rival.

However, according to Daily Mail newspaper, theses claims are being furiously refuted by execs at the show by means of a FreemantleMedia North America representative stating: ’There is no truth to the rumor and speculation that Cheryl Cole is joining American Idol.’

Reports had even gone as far as to suggest a multi million pound salary as part of the move, and even had Cheryl lined up as a fourth judge if Lopez renewed her contract next year.

A source told the  New York Post newspaper: ‘It will be interesting to see how Jennifer Lopez deals with another beautiful woman sitting alongside her.’

Lopez’s future with the show, in which she judges alongside Aerosmith frontman, Steve Tyler and Randy Jackson, remains hanging in the balance after she told Ellen DeGeneres in a recent interview: ”Now this is my second year – I don’t know if I can go for a third year. I miss doing other things.

“It really does lock you down, which was nice the first year with the babies being three, but now they’re getting more mobile, they’re about to go into school … so I just don’t know.”

Everyone seemed to be believing the rumours, even pop sensation Rihanna commented: “I can completely see why the producers at American Idol are trying to get Cheryl – she would be amazing.”

As well as slamming Simon Cowell’s decision to sack the Geordie Princess from the X Factor in the first place, she said:  ”She was received so well on the US X Factor and most people couldn’t really understand the decision to let her go.”

Before adding:  ”Since [the X Factor] she has gone from strength to strength, and is fast becoming a movie star over here.

“I don’t know if Jennifer plans to stay another season or not but Cheryl would be a great replacement for her. The only thing Cheryl needs to consider is that it’s so time-consuming.”

Watch Jennifer’s Ellen DeGeneres interview in the clip below: