Cheryl Cole's manager Will.I.Am has insisted that the Geordie babe will NOT be returning to The X Factor - despite Simon Cowell's recent comments.

Earlier this week, SiCo revealed he believes the Girls Aloud star misses him and that she could "100 per cent be a panellist again if she want to", fuelling rumours of Cheryl's return to the show.

However, Black Eyed Peas rapper Will has dismissed the music mogul's remarks, stating that he doesn't see The X Factor in his future plans for the 28-year old and he thinks Chezza should have her own TV programme.

Addressing the Cheryl/XF reports to The Mirror, Will revealed: "Why does she need it? Why are you going to make someone-else rich? Cheryl needs her own show."

The Boom Boom Pow star added that Cole was only on the panel because of her experience of being a contestant on Popstars: The Rivals back in 2002, stating he believes she's got what it takes to be a huge solo star.

Will claimed: "Cheryl’s the best. I was just hanging out with her on Tuesday, listening to her new stuff and getting her feedback on things and she has some really great tunes.

"The Cheryl that we know now is different from the one we’re going to know 10 years from now. Madonna is Madonna. You don’t want Cheryl to be Madonna, you want Cheryl to be Cheryl."

According to The Metro, the BEPs star - who is a judge on rival XF show The Voice - is also apparently hoping that Chezza will join him as a guest on the BBC talent show, which starts in the spring.