Published Sunday, 09 September 2012
Cheryl Cole joins Gary Barlow at Judges' House (© ITV)
The 29-year-old singer is Gary Barlow's guest mentor for the judge's house stages of the TV talent show.
She was pictured arriving by helicopter with the Take That star on the grounds of Boughton House estate in Northamptonshire on Saturday for filming.
The pair were narrowing down which contestants in the over-25s category Gary will take with him to this year's live X Factor finals.
Cheryl was a popular judge on the show between 2008 and 2010 before leaving to join the US version, which she was subsequently axed from.
But she looked more than happy to be back as she made her entrance with a beaming smile, dressed in a monochrome ensemble consisting of a T-shirt shaped blouse and pencil skirt and high heels.
X Factor supremo Simon Cowell welcomed her return - however it is understood she was drafted back in without his knowledge.
Gary Barlow had led producers into thinking Robbie Williams would be helping him narrow down contestants, making the comeback all the more dramatic.
Meanwhile, soulful star Ne-Yo has been drafted in to help out Nicole Scherzinger and the Boys during her stop in Dubai, while Tinie Tempah teamed up with Tulisa and the Girls in the Caribbean.
Louis Walsh, who is mentoring the Bands, will be joined by ex-judge Sharon Osbourne in Las Vegas.