Cheryl lands the job / Syco PR team take a break

So after much deliberation between Simon Cowell and Fox  executives, it was finally revealed today that Cheryl Cole has signed on the dotted line to become the third confirmed judge on the US version of the X Factor.

She will be joined by former Def Jam record executive Antonio "LA" Reid, the ringmaster himself Simon Cowell, and most likely - Paula Abdul.

The selection of the judging panel has been hyped in the entertainment media beyond belief, with Syco throwing out so many red herrings to keep the public talking. Anyone and everyone has been put in the frame for the coveted job - from Katy Perry to Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and even Gloria Estefan, who reportedly showed up unexpectedly at recent auditions to ... er, lend a hand.

The Syco PR machine - spearheaded by the delectable Ann-Marie Thomson, is the best in the business when it comes to control and manipulating the media. The X Factor brand is hugely powerful due to its epic following in the UK, which naturally transcends to the US public in this age of instant communications.

Simons reported 'talks' with big name celebrities for various roles on his flagship show have to make you wonder - how many of these talks actually took place? Was relative newcomer on the scene Nicki Minaj really considered for a judging role? Will Nicole Scherzinger be taking her rightful place on our screens as the host of the show? And I would personally be delighted if Mariah Carey did take part in some form, after she has settled into her new full time job as a mother of two.

It was reported in the media as early as 2009 that Simon would be adapting the X Factor for US audiences, and Cheryl's name was the first to be put forward as someone who Simon wanted on his coveted judging panel. Since then Cheryl has won the job, lost the job, gone into a depression, starting dating a dancer, lost weight, got a divorce, gained weight, was happy, was sad, and finally got the job again. Confused? I am.

I'm guessing that she had the job in the bag from the word go - and that we have been kept guessing in a bid to promote the show, building excitement for the US launch. Ann-Marie at Syco will finally be able to take that vacation she's been hoping for after achieving one of the best ongoing promotional campaigns in recent times.

Ann-Marie Thomson

Cheryl is one of the most sellable celebrities in the UK, the fact is magazines make more money when she is on the cover. Is this something likely to change in the near future? With her debut in the US imminent, and an apparent Glee cover of her hit Parachute in the pipeline, it's  doubtful.

Cheryl is here to stay - and for the record, she was always the perfect candidate for the job.