Cheryl Cole is renting a ￡3,500-a-week north London mansion.

The 'Promise This' singer moved into the impressive home last month in Hadley Wood after falling in love with the area - which is just a few miles away from the place where she and ex-husband Ashley Cole married in 2006 - but is only renting because she doesn't know how long she is going to be in the UK for as she is up for a role on the upcoming US version of 'The X Factor'.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "She's renting for now because her life is so hectic she doesn't have the time to find somewhere to buy. The house is handy for London, where most of her meetings take place."

As well as the London property, the 27-year-old beauty is set to splash out on a home in Los Angeles as she bids to crack the US.

However, her plans to launch herself in America were dealt a huge blow last week after it was revealed US 'X Factor' bosses are considering opting for a homegrown star over Cheryl for the show.

The 27-year-old singer had been tipped to join Simon Cowell on the judging panel of the pop star search show when it heads Stateside after impressing on the UK version, but producers are unconvinced and believe American audiences may prefer a more recognisable star such as Rihanna or Katy Perry.

A friend of Cheryl's rumoured boyfriend Derek Hough said: "Everyone thinks Cheryl has the judging job on US 'X Factor' in the bag.

"The truth is, nothing has been signed and the producers still aren't convinced.

"They are more keen to get a big US star like Katy or Rihanna on the panel - someone who will bring credibility to the show and who is already popular in the US."