Cheryl's replacement?

Star hints she might be taking Cole's place on X Factor panel...

08:52 13 April 2011

Former Spice Girl Mel B has hinted that she might be taking over from Cheryl Cole on the X Factor judging panel.

The star, who is currently pregnant with her third child, told Heart Breakfast Show presenter, Harriet Scott, that she planned to move back to her home city of Leeds in the near future:

"I think I might be coming over for quite some time next year."

"I don't think I was meant to say that though. Oh sorry, pregnant brain, maybe that was a secret."

Co-host Jamie Theakston then asked 35-year-old Mel if she would be replacing Cole on the show, to which she replied:

"Maybe soÂ…anywayÂ…I'm in so much trouble, why did I do this interview? I don't talk about anything unless it's ready to go."

The move to the UK seemed serious, as Scary Spice's music producer husband, Stephen Belafonte, is set to join her:

"Well, IÂ’m not going to go by myself, am I? The whole family is going to move, I think.

"IÂ’ve yet to have the conversation with my husband but I have been thinking about it. I think if IÂ’m going to move here, IÂ’d move here for quite some time so the kids can get settled in school."

This news comes after months of speculation that Cheryl will quit the X Factor, in favour of a move to the States to take part in the new US version of the show.