Wednesday, 13 August 2008

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Cheryl Cole has to rate pal on The X Factor

Girls Aloud star's friend Nikk Mager auditions for her on The X Factor

Cheryl Cole replaced Sharon Osbourne on the judges' panel of The X Factor

The X Factor viewers will see Cheryl Cole put in an uncomfortable position when a friend auditions for her.

Nikk Mager, 24, became pals with the Girls Aloud star when they appeared together on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

He didn't make it into the boys' group One True Voice, but was in rejects band Phixx until they split up.

‘A few years ago Nikk and Cheryl were equals,’ a source tells Daily Star Sunday. ‘Now everything has changed.

'Nikk’s future now lies in Cheryl’s hands. But she hadn’t banked on having to pass judgement on an old friend. And he never expected to be auditioning in front of her.’

Cheryl, 25, replaced Sharon Osbourne on the show after she quit in a row over pay.

The X Factor returns on Saturday on ITV1 at 7.30pm.