The rain in spain...: It's thought that worried TV chiefs have drafted in top Hollywood voice coach Bob Corff, who has worked with Sharon Osborne and on films including Kick-Ass in the past, to help Cheryl sound more 'American'
There has been no official confirmation, but Cheryl Cole's trip to LA will do nothing to quash speculation that she may be set to join close friend Simon Cowell for her dream job on the judging panel of U.S. X Factor.
But although she's already reportedly signed a £500,000 deal to take part in the show, it's understood that executives at Fox TV still have reservations over her strong Geordie twang and are grooming the 27-year-old to tone it down.
Cheryl has always been fiercely proud of her gritty northern roots and regional accent, but if viewers in the U.S. can't understand what she's saying, the show will be in breach of strict U.S. TV regulations.
Practice makes perfect: The Girls Aloud beauty looked in good spirits as she arrived at the airport to board her flight to LA. Perhaps she's been practising her American accent...
A source said: 'If audiences and contestants can't understand her, it is actually a regulatory offence.'
Worried TV chiefs are thought to have drafted in top Hollywood voice coach Bob Corff, who has worked with Sharon Osborne and on films including Kick-Ass in the past, to help Cheryl sound more 'American'.
As well as losing the edge off her Geordie accent, it's understood that the singer will be expected say 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' to some of her favourite Newcastle expressions.
On the hit-list of banned colloquialisms will be using the word 'babe' to describe a good-looking girl or boy and Cheryl will also be taught to use the word 'pants' instead of 'trousers', 'butt' as opposed to 'bum' and 'cookies' not 'biscuits'.
Healthy: The 27-year-old X Factor judge appears to have put her health worries behind her and was glowing as she jetted out to LA
Why aye man: As well as losing the edge off her Geordie accent, it's understood that the singer will be expected say 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' to some of her favourite Newcastle expressions
A source close to the star told the Mirror that another cause for concern is Cheryl's pronunciation of the 'yoo' sound in words such as 'new' and 'tune'.
In America, these are more often pronounced as 'noo' and 'toon' - and learning these basics could be key in getting audiences to understand her.
And if Cheryl does manage to 'nail it', she'll probably be more surprised than anyone.
Last year, the Girls Aloud singer admitted herself that she didn't think U.S. audiences would understand her strong Geordie accent.
She said: 'It's a rumour [I've been approached]. They don't know me out there and I've got this weird accent. I love the thought of it and would love to do it.
'The talent out there is phenomenal but whether they would want me is another thing. I don't think they would get a buzz off me.'
Let's hope she enjoys more success than fellow northerners Ant and Dec whose short-lived U.S. show Wanna Bet? was quietly swept under the carpet.
And with the auditions for U.S. X Factor kicking off on March 27, Cheryl certainly has her work cut out.
Howay the lass: Cheryl Cole is famed for her Geordie accent as a judge on the British version of the X Factor - and could be heading to the U.S. version... if she loses her distinctive twang
She means business: If Cheryl wins her place on the U.S. X Factor panel as expected, she could become a global megastar
It may mean the singer has little opportunity to spend time with her close friend and Dancing with the Stars hunk Derek Hough.
The 25-year-old dancer flew to Britain last week as a romantic surprise for the X Factor judge and returned to LA on Tuesday after spending four days with Cheryl at her north London home.
The pair have never confirmed or denied rumours of a romance, but their close friendship was sealed last year when Cheryl credited the star with saving her life following her much publicised battle with malaria.
Arriving at the airport to catch her flight, Cheryl certainly seem to have put her health fears firmly behind her.
Looking a little fuller in the face, the star appeared to be glowing with health.
Following in his footsteps: Cheryl's flight to LA is hot on the heels of close friend Derek Hough who left on Tuesday after spending four days with the singer
Source:dailymail