(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Nicole Scherzinger has joked she is part of the "Paula and Simon show" now she has joined the US X Factor judging panel.

The American songstress replaced Cheryl Cole on the show after the British star was sensationally axed.

Nicole, who was originally brought in as the show's co-host alongside Welsh presenter Steve Jones, will grace the coveted judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA Reid.

The raven-haired beauty insists she doesn't want to come in the way of Simon and Paula's long-term friendship.

"I get a front ticket at the Paula and Simon show' but I'm not there to get between them. They've been working together for over 10 years so it's just an honour for me to be part of the panel," she gushed to Closer magazine.

Nicole insists she is getting along with the other judges swimmingly. The singer says they like to entertain each other in between filming for the highly-anticipated talent show, rather than retire to their own separate dressing rooms.

"The judges don't have private dressing rooms because Simon likes to keep everything out in the open," she explained. "We're getting on like a house on fire." (C) Cover Media