Cheryl Cole: 'Simon told me off'

By Sarah Jane Griffiths
Newsbeat Entertainment reporter

Cheryl admits to being really nervous before the X Factor

Cheryl Cole has admitted that Simon Cowell had to take her to one side when she first started on X Factor.

The Girls Aloud singer said she was told to be more honest during the early auditions.

"I was saying yes to tone deaf people for about four hours on the first day and I was trying to make people feel more comfortable," she said.

Cheryl joined the judging panel after Sharon Osbourne quit the TV reality show last series.

She went on: "It got to the point where Simon said 'you're making yourself look silly. You need to be honest, don't patronise people, just be honest'."

'New girl'

The singer said she was really nervous when she first started the ITV1 show, especially when she met all the crew.

I felt a bit out of my depth at first Cheryl Cole

"They're all a family. They've been doing it for five years so I was like the new girl at school," she explained.

"I felt a bit out of my depth at first. I was terrified and definitely had reservations, but once I got into it I loved it."

Cheryl also revealed that fellow judge Simon is not as nasty as he likes to make out.

She added: "You can't not be touched by some people's stories. Simon gets glassy eyed, he's a big softie.

"He likes to put on the front of a tough guy but he's actually really soft-hearted and kind."

The singer also said her fellow Girls Aloud members are big fans of the show.

"They absolutely love it and the texts come a plenty on a Saturday night taking the mickey. They're enjoying it more than I am," she added.

'Bizarre situation'

Cheryl and bandmates Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh performed their new single Promise in Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley's garage, as part of the Live Lounge tour.

"It's a bizarre situation. This is the first time we've ever sung the single and it's a bit weird doing it as a four, but hey ho," said Sarah.

Fifth band member Nadine Coyle is stuck in Los Angeles as she has shingles and is too ill to fly.

"She's bed-bound at the minute, we've got to troop on without her," said Nicola.

The girls told Radio 1 they feel they've really been accepted as a band now.

Cheryl added: "We take risks musically and work as one big team with the people around us. And we've been lucky enough to have good pop songs."