Scherzinger, Jones not returning to 'X Factor'

[January 31, 2012]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones are out at "The X Factor."

A Fox spokeswoman said Monday that the judge and host will not return for the show's second season. No other details were provided.

Jones, a British TV personality, called his departure "a shame" on Twitter and added that he couldn't complain, "as I've had a great time." He gave no reason why he wasn't returning to the singing contest.

Jones was originally slated to host "X Factor" alongside Scherzinger, who replaced British pop star Cheryl Cole as a judge when executive producer Simon Cowell and other producers had second thoughts about Cole joining the series.

Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid served as the other judges on the show's first season.

Despite consistent viewership, "X Factor" has failed to achieve popularity similar to "American Idol," which Cowell left to import "X Factor" from the U.K. to the U.S.

A spokeswoman for Scherzinger did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The second season of "X Factor" is set to debut later this year.

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Online:

http://www.thexfactorusa.com/

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang can be reached at http://twitter.com/derrikjlang.

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