'Cheryl Cole is a delight': Paula Abdul gives her seal of approval to rival X Factor USA judge as auditions begin

By Natalie Trombetta, Chris Johnson and Sarah Fitzmaurice in Los Angeles

Last updated at 2:19 PM on 9th May 2011

It appears that just a day into her new job Cheryl Cole has already impressed her co-judge Paula Abdul on the U.S. X Factor.

The American pop singer told her army of nearly two million Twitter followers that Cole is a ‘delight’ work with – proving that Cole managed to make a strong impression after only one day of filming.

Abdul, 48, posted a picture of herself and Cole to the social networking site and introduced the Parachute singer by saying: ‘Gotta tell you about Cheryl - 'The Fierce' is STRONG w/ this one! :) she's lovely! xoP’

New BFFs? Paula Abdul posted a picture of herself and Cheryl Cole to Twitter and gushed to her fans after just one day of filming that the Brit singer was a delight to work with

'She's a delight': Cheryl Cole appears to have proved herself to Abdul on the first day. The singer even stood up to LA Reid who admitted to MailOnline he had never heard Cole's music

While fans from the UK were eagerly anticipating how Cole would fare at the first round of auditions yesterday, American headlines largely ignored the Girls Aloud singer, focusing instead on Abdul's last minute-contract negotiations which delayed filming by three hours.

However, Cole understood that she was not the brightest star in the judging line-up, for the moment at least, and introduced herself to the crowd as each judge said a few words before the start of the auditions.

The Geordie singer said: 'You might have to bear with me on the accent,' before adding, a little nervously: 'I hope you are all looking forward to getting to know me.'

And she proved to be a hit with the audience. She was a little mute at first, but it didn't take long for her to warm up.

Hello America: Cheryl Cole shows off her huge bouffant, which she described as 'crazy wild hair', as she arrives for the first day of the U.S. X Factor auditions in Los Angeles today

Who is she again? Cole's fellow judge LA Reid admitted he had never heard her music

At one point she even remonstrated with Reid after he said no to a contestant, persuading him to give her another chance.

There were times when you could see that her distance from Cowell was, perhaps, a little unsettling for her as she shuffled nervously in her seat.

However, a chant of 'we love you Cheryl' from the crowd appeared to give her the assurance she needed.

And Abdul’s seal of approval will no doubt further encourage Cole. 

Abdul later tweeted: ‘Lots of you ask "What's it like to work w/ #CherylCole? can you understand her accent?" She's a delight, lovely & sweet. what accent? :)’

New girl on the block: Cole laps up the attention as she arrives for her first day of filming

Earlier in the day Cole had laughed off worries about her accent and told MailOnline: 'I'm hoping people are going to embrace it.

'I'm not worried (about my accent). It's going to be interesting. I hear a lot of accents here too.'

But she conceded: 'I'm sure there will be words or phases where people are like, excuse me?

Asked if she would adjust or change her voice, she replied emphatically: 'Never! I would be crucified where I'm from if I tried to change my accent.'

Cole also gave a hint that she might be planning on staying in the U.S. long-term, saying 'watch this space'.

While she certainly won over her fellow female judge and many American fans, others were left questioning her wardrobe choice on Twitter on her big day.

Cole arrived in an eye-catching pair of purple Diane von Furstenberg trousers and an Oscar de la Renta top, teamed with a turquoise belt.

Camera ready: The American media were eager to get a glimpse of the new judge

Meeting her fans: Cole might still be a relative unknown in the U.S., but a huge crowd cheered her as she climbed out of her limousine

One Twitter user @ciaraleahy posted: ‘Cheryl Cole on US X Factor - call the fashion police wrong wrong wrong, never mind the hair #xfactor.’

Another, @Glen_Stefani made reference to her big hair:’ Cheryl Cole, dear, you looked a mess at the launch of X Factor USA. Your hair was not big or clever, Paula Abdul looked more stylish. *gasp*’

But others were taken with the actress @BBBBryson posted: ‘bbbbryson: Auditions just ended.. Was amazing seeing Cheryl Cole in person... FIT FIT FIT!! May go back 2moro to see her again!

While another, @bridow, seemed taken with her accent and said: After listening to Cheryl Cole's voice today, I want to date a girl from the North(of England).

But it is unclear if Cole managed to impress legendary music producer LA Reid who earlier in the day had told MailOnline he hadn't even met her and wasn't sure about her credentials as a judge. He said: 'I don't know man. I've never listened to her music.'

Reid was speaking as fans gathered to cheer the judges at the University Of Southern California in Los Angeles ahead of the first auditions.

He received a big cheer as he stepped out of his Rolls-Royce, hours later than expected.

THE FULL JUDGING LINE-UP FOR X FACTOR USA                                    

Judging talent : Respected music mogul LA Reid and Simon Cowell on the first day of X Factor USA auditions

The start of filming was delayed as fourth judge Abdul hammered out the final details of her contract, signing on the dotted line with moments to spare.

The 48-year-old kept Cole, Reid and Cowell waiting, finally signing at 11am local time.

Cole, when asked how she felt about the fact Reid had never heard of her, or her music, wasn't annoyed.

Head honcho: Cowell arrived in a Rolls-Royce Phantom to start the ball rolling on his high-risk talent show

'I quite like it, it means I feel really challenged,' she said. 'I have so much respect for LA Reid. I've always admired him, so it's great for me.

Old friends: Cowell poses with ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour who was covering the event for U.S. channel Extra

'It's one of those moments where you don't know what to say or how to feel.'

Cole, the show's British judge, arrived in Los Angeles earlier this week, ahead of the taping.

Following months of speculation she was only recently confirmed as a judge on the new U.S. version of the hit British reality series.

She refused to comment on her late signing of the deal, saying only: 'I'm here'.

Abdul, wearing an Yves St Laurent outfit, was more familiar than Reid with Cole's music, citing Parachute as her favourite song.

Although she did struggle with the name of Cole's other song, calling it Fight rather than Fight For This Love.

Asked if she wanted to sit next to Cowell on the panel, the American Idol star said: 'I don't think I have a choice.'

Cowell arrived in a Rolls-Royce Phantom as she was talking to the press, and the pair hugged for the cameras.

At one point, she even wrapped her leg around him and the two kissed for the cameras.

Asked how Cole will be received in America Cowell said: 'She's nervous and so she should be.

'But when I came out here for the first time nobody knew who I was. I just said I'll do the job I'm being paid to do and hope it works.'

And Cowell predicted a rivalry between the two female members of the panel. He said: 'You put pretty girls together it's like three cats in a sack, isn't it. And it needs a bit of a shake.'

Perhaps he plans to encourage a headline-grabbing rivalry.

He told MailOnline that Cole would no longer sit at his side, as she had in the UK show.

Instead Abdul will get the prime spot because Cowell says it 'feels right'. Of course, that may change if Cole proves more popular - Cowell said they may change the seating as the competition rolls on.

Touchy feely: Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are very affectionate as they pose for the cameras, looking excited to be working together again

Co-presenters Welshman Steve Jones, 34, and Nicole Scherzinger, 32, were first to take to the stage.

While former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger didn't need much introduction, British export Jones certainly did.

'Steve who,' said one audience member as the Welsh T4 presenter's name was announced. Jones was, of course, fully aware of his non-celebrity status in the States.

'You're probably wondering who the hell I am,' he modestly said to the crowd, before introducing himself: 'I'm Steve Jones. I'm new to LA. I moved here two days ago.'

The pair then went backstage, armed to interview the contestants after their auditions and, for many, after their dreams of stardom had been crushed.

Cole was the first judge to step onto the stage, followed by LA Reid, Abdul and then Cowell himself.

A few words were said by each judge to the audience.

Tough-talking Reid promised to be 'brutally honest, Abdul said it was 'such a pleasure to be here' while Cole was 'absolutely thrilled'.

True to form, Cowell drew laughs and gasps from the auditorium with his withering put downs - Mr Nasty was on form.

'Your outfit looks like it's from a dressing up box,' he told one group of young teens. 'Did your mother pick your outfits?'

'You're the type of person who should be singing at home,' he told another act. In the meantime, the UK version is having trouble finding a new panel with Cowell and Cole gone.

Gary Barlow is the only confirmed judge in Britain, with questions marks still hanging over Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.