Cheryl Cole has been helping a very nervous Alesha Dixon according to reports.

The X Factor judge is said to be offering advice to Dixon after she was appointed as a new Strictly Come Dancing judge earlier this month.

A source told the Daily Star Sunday: “One of the first people Alesha talked to when she was offered the Strictly job was Cheryl. They are really close friends and Cheryl has been there and done it, so she’s the perfect person to give advice.”

The insider added: “Cheryl replaced an older star on The X Factor when she took over from Sharon Osbourne, so she knows what that pressure is like.

“But Simon [Cowell] won’t be pleased if he finds out, especially as the two shows will be going head to head in the ratings this autumn.”