Nicole Sherzinger, Steve Jones not returning to ‘X Factor’
ASSOCIATED PRESS January 30, 2012 8:38PM
FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2011 file photo, television host Steve Jones poses on the red carpet at "The X Factor" Finale show in Los Angeles. Jones said on Twitter on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, that he wouldnt be returning to host the shows second season. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)
Updated: January 31, 2012 7:15AM
LOS ANGELES — Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones are out at “The X Factor.”
A Fox spokeswoman said Monday that the judge and host will not return for the show’s second season. No other details were provided.
Jones, a British TV personality, called his departure “a shame” on Twitter and added that he couldn’t complain, “as I’ve had a great time.” He gave no reason why he wasn’t returning to the singing contest.
Jones was originally slated to host “X Factor” alongside Scherzinger, who replaced British pop star Cheryl Cole as a judge when executive producer Simon Cowell and other producers had second thoughts about Cole joining the series.
Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid served as the other judges on the show’s first season.
Despite consistent viewership, “X Factor” has failed to achieve popularity similar to “American Idol,” which Cowell left to import “X Factor” from the U.K. to the U.S.
A spokeswoman for Scherzinger did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The second season of “X Factor” is set to debut later this year.
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