Former X Factor UK judge Cheryl Cole has met up with Simon Cowell, apparently to discuss a possible return to the show.

Cheryl was a judge on the series from 2008 until 2010, when she moved to the US series.

However the Girls Aloud star was axed during the auditions, and subsequently distanced herself from Simon Cowell.

Writing her recent autobiography, Cheryl revealed she text him after being cut: “F*** you. F*** Britain’s Got Talent. F*** the orange and purple outfit. F*** big hair. F*** the UK X Factor. F*** you all.”

However this year saw Cheryl return to the show for a special guest appearance at judges’ houses, although she insisted it was for Gary and not Simon.

She said: “I saw Simon’s tweet [welcoming me back]. I’m not doing this for him. I’m doing it for Gary. He’s my friend and he asked me to do it.”

Speaking on the Alan Carr show earlier in the year, Cheryl admitted she wouldn’t say “never” to coming back to The X Factor, saying of her relationship with Simon: “We’re ‘frenemies’. I’ve spoken to him many times.”

A source revealed: “He’s desperate to get Cheryl back on X Factor UK because it’s lost its way.

“The money on the table would be a fortune — at least double what she got last time. She could have what she wanted.”

However sources claimed the pair were simply having a catch up.

They said: “He’s very fond of Cheryl. They’ve met up a few times in the last 18 months.

“This could pave the way for conversations down the line about X Factor but it wasn’t about that.”

The X Factor 2012 continues this weekend on ITV1 and ITV1HD with the final four acts singing songs that they hope will get them into the final.

On Sunday’s results show, one more act get the axe and there will be performances from Pink and Tulisa.