CHERYL Cole wants to quit X Factor to have a baby, the News of the World can reveal.
The show's supremo Simon Cowell is desperate to keep his ace judge and ITV would double her £1.2million salary.
But mega-rich Cheryl, below, has told him her decision is not about money. Last night an X Factor insider told us: "Cheryl has so much else going on in life.
"The number one thing on her mind is starting a family. The show is a huge commitment. It's six months of the year. Cheryl wanted to have a baby with Ashley this year but put it off because of work. "She doesn't want to wait much longer and she's not keen on having to judge The X Factor while she's heavily pregnant."
Cheryl, 26, has said: "I have friends who have put it off and I don't want to do that. I'd love a big family."
As well as having children with Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole, the Geordie beauty has a successful music career to pursue.
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Already a star in Girls Aloud, her solo work is the surprise talk of the music industry.
Her first single Fight For This Love topped the charts and became the fastest selling song of the year after she performed it live on The X Factor.
And her debut album 3 Words is on target to sell a million copies before the end of the year.
Her act Alexandra Burke won X Factor last year and her protege this series, Joe McElderry, is hot favourite to win the contest tonight.
Our show source added: "If you've won the show twice in a row what else is there left to prove? There's massive demand in America for her to promote her music which is something she's agreed to do."
Huge
A music industry expert added: "It's not only America she has to tackle. Europe is a huge market with lots of countries she has to visit."
Cheryl also has her Girls Aloud commitments to honour with the group booked to record their next album late next year, clashing with X Factor.
Her uncertain future also makes fellow judge Dannii Minogue's job safe for now.
Our source added: "Girls Aloud are definitely recording their album at the end of next year.
"Cheryl has always said she'll put music first but doing everything would put a massive strain on her. Something has to give.
"Simon's going to take time to reflect but until he's signed up Cheryl there's no way he'd let Dannii go anyway.
"It's crazy to think he would risk introducing two new female judges in the same year."
Contract negotiations between The X Factor judges and ITV do not begin until Spring.
An ITV insider explained: "Simon hasn't officially even done a deal with us to bring the show back next year.
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"But he loves working with Cheryl and they've become very close friends.
"He also knows how much the public adore her and how good she's been for ratings.
"Simon is very persuasive and Cheryl admires him hugely. He will try to get one last series out of her. For Simon it's nothing short of a disaster if she does go through with what she's thinking and walks out of the show."
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