Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger will not be back on The X Factor this year.

A Fox official has confirmed that neither star will be back on the series when it kicks off later in 2012 and that bosses are now on the hunt for a new presenter to replace Jones and a judge to replace Scherzinger.

He refused to confirm or deny reports that Paula Abdul was also leaving the show, which would result in only Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid returning from the first series.

Later, Jones confirmed the news on Twitter, telling his followers that he had already been informed but claiming that he isn’t sad, as he’s had a ‘great time’ on the show. He wrote:

‘I wont be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.’

Whoever Steve’s replacement will be, one thing seems sure, it won’t be another British star. When Cowell first hired Steve many complained that he should have chosen a homegrown American presenter and the star himself conceded the fact recently, telling The Mirror:

‘I don’t think he did a bad job but, like America’s Got Talent there is a Brit limit on the show.’

Steve will now go on to front Let’s Dance For Sports Relief, on BBC One, alongside his ex-girlfriend and fellow Welsh star Alex Jones. The series will star celebrities Olly Murs, Ulrika Jonsson, Angelos Epithemiou, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, Amy Childs and Harry Derbidge.

Nicole has not yet made a comment on her departure, but she won’t be sitting around on her laurels, that’s for sure. Yesterday Will.i.am revealed that he was working on some new music with the star (does he like rescuing all Simon Cowell’s castoffs?) and it has also been rumoured that due to her close relationship with Andrew Lloyd Webber, the former Pussycat Dolls star is being considered as an addition to the judging panel of his new ITV show ‘Superstar.’