Cheryl Cole has proved to be so popular a judge that it is rumoured Simon Cowell has offered her £1.5 million to return for next years series.

The Daily Star has reported that because Cole will be touring America with Girls Aloud in 2009, the show’s bosses are willing to pay for a £5,000-an-hour jet to fly her back and forth for the Saturday night shows.

“Cheryl’s proved to be the perfect X Factor judge. She is being offered at least £1.5million for a second series,” said a source.

“And if she mentors this year’s winner she could probably raise it even higher. Who would bet against her doing that at the moment?”