X Factor still wants Cheryl Cole as judge

THR reports that Freemantle does not want to "breach Cheryl Cole's contract" and has asked her to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in London so she can come back to judge the X Factor.

Sheesh. Was this all a publicity gimmick? The show hasn't even aired on TV.

From THR:

A Cole source tells THR that Fremantle is trying to avoid paying the British pop star, who was dropped as a judge on Simon Cowell's singing competition after only four days.

According to this source, Fremantle has not fired Cole and in fact took steps Thursday that will require her to appear shortly at the U.S. consulate in London to apply for a visa so she can perform as a judge. Fremantle executives could not be reached for comment.

Apparently Cole intends to apply for the visa.