X Factor: Nicole Scherzinger confirmed to return to ITV show by 'furious' Andrew Lloyd Webber

The musical impresario said her decision left him feeling like a “twot”
Confirmed: Nicole Scherzinger will return to the ITV show
Michael Loccisano/Getty
Rashid Razaq13 May 2016
The Weekender

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Andrew Lloyd Webber has branded Nicole Scherzinger “crazy” for pulling out of a Broadway run of Cats — a week before rehearsals were due to begin — so she could return to The X Factor.

The musical impresario said he was “furious” and left feeling like a “twot” for “going out on a limb” for her after the former Pussycat Dolls star abandoned the production to be a judge on the ITV talent contest.

In an interview for Economist Radio, Lord Lloyd-Webber told host Anne McElvoy: “A week before we were going to go into rehearsals, I get the news that she wants to do X Factor in Britain, having agreed everything.

“She’s crazy but the producers took a view ‘fine we’ll get someone else’, because she is not very well known in America, amazingly.

She’s much better known here.

“I’m furious because I believe she is a fantastically talented girl and I went out on a limb to get her. It makes me look like a twot [sic]. Never mind. There will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony award.”

Scherzinger, 37, who received rave reviews for her starring role in a West End production of Cats in 2014, had spoken of how she “couldn’t wait” to join the Broadway show, with Lord Lloyd-Webber tipping her to take “America by storm”.

Scherzinger defended her decision to return to the X Factor to replace Rita Ora. She told the Standard: “I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalised. I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren’t able to make it work this time around.

“I adore and respect Andrew, I’m so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.”

In a wide-ranging interview on the economics of showbusiness, Lord Lloyd-Webber defended dynamic “airline-style” pricing for top West End and Broadway shows, saying it was “better” the money went to theatre producers than ticket touts.

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