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Another X Factor judge bites the dust

London - Nicole Scherzinger is set to quit the X Factor at the end of the series.

The former Pussycat Doll has been named as the next judge to leave the panel on the ITV talent show after Sharon Osbourne let the plans slip in her new autobiography published last Thursday.

According to the 61-year-old judge, Nicole discussed plans to leave the series to focus on her music career during a chat with fellow judges Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh at boot camp in August, but she has kept the news a secret ever since.

"We were drained"

Sharon recalled, "We were drained, all four of us, and began talking about what we were going to do next year. Gary planned to go back on tour and work on a new album because that's what he does, that's his day job."

"It was the same for Nicole; she was going back into the studio and then on tour. They were both leaving to get back to their lives. Louis too had decided it was time to bow out."

Nicole has put her music on hold to commit to X Factor over the past two series and delayed the release of her second solo album.

A source told the Daily Star, "She wants to get back to what she is best at. Being a TV star isn't a priority for her."

Other departures and return of an old face

The revelations come after Gary confirmed his departure from the X Factor during the live shows on Saturday night while Louis had said in August that he would be quitting after a decade on the show.

The string of exits reportedly have X Factor bosses in fear over the future of the show, while Simon Cowell is tipped to make a return to the panel in 2014 in a bid to boost dwindling ratings.

Nicole getting close to the Osbourne family:

"The third Osbourne! Love my new fam here in #London XO"
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