Cheryl Cole Confirms X Factor Return With Cheeky Instagram Pic

The singer is teaming up with Simon Cowell once again for the hit competition show

Cheryl Cole is ready to reclaim her seat at the X Factor judges' table.

Rumours have been swirling for weeks that the former Girls Aloud singer would return for the upcoming season of Simon Cowell's hit competition show. But it wasn't until last night that the news was officially confirmed.

Cheryl, 30, broke the news herself, posting a playful picture of her choking her co-judge to Instagram.

'GUESS WHAT!!.. I'm baaaacccckkkkk!!!! #iMayActuallyRingHisNeck #XFactor2014 #leggooo,' she wrote.

Simon then confirmed the news via his own Twitter. 'It's official. Cheryl is back,' he wrote. 'Be careful what you wish for!'

But the 54-year-old mogul did add a touch of sincerity for good measure: 'Most importantly she is a brilliant judge of talent.'

It's a familiar gig for Cheryl, who previously served as judge on the show from 2008 to 2010. She also signed on for the US version of the show in 2011 but was sacked by the network just a few weeks in. (American viewers reportedly had trouble understanding her Geordie accent.)

But apparently all that is water under the bridge.

Cheryl spoke about her excitement in an official statement. 'I’m very happy and excited to be returning to The X Factor,' she said. 'I'm inspired and ready to find new talent and potential pop stars. It’s going to be a fun series.'

And Simon added: 'I am so happy that Cheryl has agreed to join The X Factor again. The last time we worked together in the UK was incredible and produced some really successful artists. Obviously the plan is to do the same again… so it's back to work!'

The most recent X Factor line-up included Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh. All but Walsh have confirmed their departures, so we'll have to wait and see who Simon rangles as his second female judge.

Got a tablet? You can now download Marie Claire magazine straight to your iPad for the new price of £2.99, Kindle (just search the store for 'marie claire magazine'), Nook or Google Nexus.