X Factor USA’s Simon Cowell has reportedly told the show’s host Steve Jones to “back off” and stop flirting with judge Nicole Scherzinger.

Notorious ladies’ man Steve, who landed the dream job for the new show earlier this year, has become good friends with the singer since they started working together. The pair are even said to have nicknames, calling each other “Pocahontas” and “Colin”, in reference to Steve’s likeness to actor Colin Farrell.

But according to one insider quoted in Star magazine, Simon is becoming “unhappy” with how close the pair have become.

The source told the magazine: “At first Simon and the producers turned a blind eye to Steve and Nicole’s growing closeness.

“But it’s reached the stage now where they’re starting to alienate everyone else working on the show, and it’s forming and uncomfortable energy, which Simon doesn’t like.”

While Nicole and Steve’s friendship is said to be totally platonic, Simon is allegedly keen to avoid any potentially nasty rumours surfacing.

Meanwhile, former X Factor USA judge Cheryl Cole - who was sensationally axed from the show and replaced with Nicole - has been spotted filming her first scenes for movie What To Expect When You're Expecting.

Cole has landed herself a cameo role in the Hollywood film, which stars celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Matthew Morrison.

STV.TV