Speculation remains high over Cheryl Cole’s next career move after she reportedly snubbed offers to return to the X Factor in Britain following her exit from the American version of the show.

According to reports, the 27-year-old was given an offer by the British X Factor camp but refused to pick up her phone around the time of the deadline that was given to her.

She is now understood to have returned to the UK, but there has been no official confirmation as to whether she will return to judging the British version of the talent show.

Friends have claimed she is furious about her treatment and, according to the News of the World, she told a friend Simon Cowell did not give her a chance to prove herself.

The newspaper said she told a friend: “I did trust Simon, I let myself believe he had my best interests at heart. Now he’s done this to me.

“I never actually wanted to do the American show, I’m not a TV star. I had so many reservations but he pushed me into doing it. He told me I’d be a star over there.

“And he didn’t even give me a chance to prove myself. I was gone after four days.

“I’ve been used. Why put me through it? It’s cruel.”

Meanwhile, Mr Cowell has reportedly admitted feeling guilty that Ms Cole’s place on the US show did not work out.

Celebrity website TMZ said she was dropped from the judging panel because producers feared the American audience would not understand her Geordie accent.

There were also concerns Ms Cole, whose place on the show was only confirmed on May 5, had a “lack of chemistry” with fellow X Factor judge Paula Abdul, the US website said.

Representatives of Ms Cole, the show’s production team and broadcaster ITV have so far declined to comment.

The news will be seen as a blow for Mr Cowell who lobbied US television executives on Ms Cole’s behalf.

The X Factor supremo has ­previously said he showed a video clip of Ms Cole to Fox bosses two years ago in a bid to persuade them to bring her on board.

It is understood that Ms Cole’s seat on the judges panel will be taken by ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.