Cheryl Cole definitely out of X Factor, will be paid $1.5 million

I have nothing more to add to this X Factor drama that has dragged on and has actually hurt the reputation of the show even before it has aired.

So Cheryl Cole is definitely out of The X Factor and the last minute "leak" that she is back on the show was actually done to get her to quit the show. Whatever.

X Factor will now pay Cheryl Cole $1.5 million as stipulated in her contract.

From THR:

The bizarre drama surrounding British pop singer Cheryl Cole's on-again, off-again gig as a judge on the U.S. version of the X Factor appears to be coming to a close -- and it's off.

According to a high-level industry source, after engaging in some legal brinksmanship the powers behind the show have concluded that it's best to pay Cole the reported $1.5 million she was owed under her contract and say goodbye.

This source says Fremantle balked at paying out Cole's contract and hoped to induce her to quit. That was the impetus behind pressing her to return to the U.S. and leaking word that she was being offered the judging job once again. But apparently after extensive conversations involving Cowell, Fremantle and Fox, a decision was reached to pay off Cole's contract and end the drama.