Cheryl Cole's $3.5m US pad

Word is Cheryl has splashed out $3.5 million on a pad in California.

The apartment is close to the studios where the US version of 'The X Factor' will be filmed.

With an in-built cinema, private 74ft pool and wine cellar the property is part of a 42-storey building in Beverley Hills. It's also close to 'friend' Derek Hough.

It's looks increasingly likely that Cheryl will land a judging role on the US version of the show with TV bosses at Fox making all the right noises.

Peter Rice, the head of entertainment on the network, said: "If Cheryl was to be on the show, I think she's proved she's a terrific judge. She has wonderful chemistry with Simon."

At the weekend Louis Walsh appeared to hint that Cheryl and Simon would quit the UK version to focus on the US show.