'X Factor': Nicole Scherzinger Addresses Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Furious' 'Cats' Rant

Nicole Scherzinger has responded to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s scathing comments about her departure from a new production of his musical, ‘Cats’.

Last week, the musical theatre composer blasted Nicole in an interview, claiming that she’d pulled out of ‘Cats’ on Broadway to re-join ‘The X Factor’ panel, suggesting she was “crazy” and had made him look an “absolute twot”.

She has now had her say, insisting that her place in the production was never finalised.

Nicole told Radio Times: “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.”

Refusing to rise to his harsh remarks, she continued: “I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can't wait for the opportunity to create more magic together."

Probably shouldn’t hold your breath on that one, Nicole. Last we heard he was telling everyone: “The American producers just took a view - ‘Well, fine, we’ll get somebody else’, because she’s actually not very well known in America, amazingly. She’s much better known here.

“Never mind, there’ll be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award.”

One claim Nicole did not address was the suggestion she was going to be back on the ‘X Factor’ judging team this year, following the departures of last year’s judges, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

From the most recent series, only Simon Cowell remains on the panel, with Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne both heavily tipped to be making a return to the show this summer.

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