The singer was a judge for the 2012 and 2013 runs of the ITV talent hunt but was not invited back when Simon Cowell made room for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Speaking to Express.co.uk backstage at the panel show, she said: “Everybody knows that X Factor is the biggest thing in this country.”

Correcting herself, she added cheekily: “Or was.”

The X Factor’s ratings have collapsed in recent years, with the first live show playing to 5.6 million viewers – more than 2 million lower than the equivalent episode when Nicole was still a mentor.

“I always said my panel was so strong,” she said of former co-stars Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne.

“I miss my fellow judges, but I couldn’t be happier here – this is where I’m supposed to be.”

She hasn’t seen any of the current series, in which Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw join Cheryl and Simon. “I’ve been in America,” she explained. “I would imagine that it’d be a really strong panel.”

She is a regular team captain on Bring The Noise, alongside Tinie Tempah. The Voice UK coach and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson is host.

Together they film parodies of music videos, play games in the studio and welcome special guests ranging from Oliva Colman to rapper Wretch 32.

Express.co.uk even got to play a round of the show’s Flip Reverse It game, which you can watch the disastrous results of below.

“It’s so different being a team captain on a panel to being a judge,” Nicole said excitedly. “I love it because I’m not just sitting behind a desk judging people. I’m actually interactive, on my feet, cracking jokes and playing games with people, being off the cuff, singing and doing impressions. I couldn’t express how I’ve hit the jackpot for myself. If I could magic stuff in my head it would be Bring The Noise. I can’t believe I get paid for this.”

The ex-Pussycat Doll also confirmed earlier rumours that she’s in talks to hit Broadway with Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s revival of Cats.

Her high-profile stint on the West End last year was a box office hit, and she could make her debut on the Great White Way in 2016.

“Yeah, Andrew and I have been talking about bringing it to Broadway,” she said. “So if it works out in the schedule and all the cats’ eyes align then I’ll revive it on Broadway next year. So that’ll be awesome.”

Source: Express.uk