Scherzinger quits X Factor for year of romance on F1 circuit?

Scherzinger with Hamilton in 2011

Word is that Nicole Scherzinger has quit The X Factor to tour the world with boyfriend Lewis Hamilton on the Grand Prix circuit.

The pop star won’t return to the hit show for a third run and instead will cheer on Formula 1 ace Lewis following a rekindling of their romance last November.

Nicole, 35, will be at Lewis’s side for the majority of the races, as she is due to promote her forthcoming album later in the year.

Sources close to the star say she is excited at being able to spend so much time with the 29-year-old.

They split last summer after time apart put a strain on their relationship. A source close to Nicole revealed: “She will be at most of the races, she actually wants to see Lewis and they want to be part of one another’s everyday lives.

“Before, their relationship just didn’t work. They never saw one another and things were so hard that they went their separate ways.

“Now they both hope spending more time together will lead to getting married and even having children."

X Factor bosses had wanted the former Pussycat Doll to return, and were prepared to pay her £3 million but after signing a deal for the same amount with music giant Sony, she feared she wouldn’t be able to promote her album and have time for her personal life.

Lewis was left devastated last summer when the pair split after nearly seven years together.

He had repeatedly begged Nicole to give their relationship another go and they reconciled at a Thanksgiving party last year.