A few hours ago we told you that X Factor host Steve Jones had announced his departure from his show after just one season.
Now, E! Online has learned that Nicole Scherzinger is also leaving.
UPDATE: Deadline has learned that Paula Abdul will ALSO not return.
“[Nicole] wants to focus on her music career,” a source said. “She’s spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he’s given her his blessing.”
Scherzinger is currently rehearsing for her upcoming European tour that kicks off next month.
“X Factor took a lot more of her time than she ever expected,” the source said. “She didn’t have any time really to work on her music. She was doing X Factor six days a week.”
There had been talk of Scherzinger taking over Jones’ hosting role if he were to leave, but that no longer seems to be the case.
As for Paula Abdul, Deadline reports:
…now a Simon Cowell insider just told me that his longtime friend and American Idol colleague Paula Abdul won’t be returning as an X Factor judge next season. I understand from sources that none of the three left on their own accord and that it was cleaning house day at the so-so rated show.
So for X Factor season 2 we have a new host AND *two* judges to look forward to!