The X Factor Shocker News Trend

Nicole Scherzinger is joining Steve Jones on his way out the door of Fox’s The X Factor.
the Pussycat Dolls singer will not return as a judge for season two. And host Jones is departing the show.

The dramatic exodus caps weeks of speculation about whether the two Brits would continue on the show. Fox and executive producer Simon Cowell are determined to make adjustments to the series after a first season that performed solidly, but fell short of what many felt was the show’s high potential given its ratings dominance in the UK. The performances of Scherzinger and Jones were panned by critics and they were both considered likely candidates to get the boot.

“I won’t be hosting next seasons The X Factor DVD which is a shame but I cant complain as I’ve had a great time, ” Jones wrote on Twitter. “Good luck to everyone on the show. ”

While E! News quoted a source close to Scherzinger suggesting it was the singer’s idea to leave the show: “She wants to focus on her music career. She’s spoken to Simon [Cowell] and he’s given her his blessing. X Factor took a lot more of her time than she ever expected. She didn’t have any time really to work on her music. ”

Earlier this month, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly made it pretty clear Jones’ days were numbered when asked about the host at the network’s press tour presentation. “There will be some changes … as we know [hosting] is a much harder job than meets the eye, ” he said. “I think everybody has come to see the value of Ryan Seacrest. Whether Steve is the guy or not, it comes under the heading of growth in general. ”

Yet the “growth” raises the questions: Who will step in as the show’s new host and judge? And is the X Factor DVD bloodbath complete, or are there more changes to come?