Enter the X Factor judges, singing Cheryl's praises... how gullible do they think we are?

By Paul Revoir

Last updated at 11:44 PM on 1st June 2011

She is ignoring Simon Cowell’s calls after being dropped from the U.S. version of the X Factor and refusing to rejoin the UK team.

So you might have expected the hosts of the ITV show to avoid any mention of Cheryl Cole’s name.

But as auditions began, the new judges were quick to praise the former Girls Aloud star – so quick, in fact, that fans began speculating that the whole thing was a PR stunt.

Style wars: Kelly Rowland (left) shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt, while Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black jumpsuit as they arrive at the Birmingham

Style wars: Kelly Rowland shows off her toned figure in a yellow crop top and black skirt with towering Christian Louboutin heels

Slinky: Tulisa Contostavlos covers up in a black DKNY jumpsuit as the judges arrive at the Birmingham auditions

Take That star Gary Barlow, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and show veteran Louis Walsh arrived in Birmingham yesterday to begin filming.

Although Miss Cole, 27, is still in hiding, singer and songwriter Barlow, 40, said: ‘I’ve spoken to her and I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

‘I’m sad that she’s gone, but do you know what, she will move on to something else.

Exciting new venture: Kelly and Tulisa have both been staying at the Hotel Du Vin - where previous X Factor judges Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell

‘I know Cheryl quite well and she is an ambitious girl, she’s very together and she’ll get over this no question.’

Irish music manager Louis Walsh, meanwhile, said that Miss Cole had been in good spirits as she had sent him text messages to ‘wish him well’ on the show – and told him to ‘give them hell’.

The hunt for new talent is on: New judge Gary Barlow (left) joins the show's only original judge Louis Walsh on the red carpet

‘Cheryl’s great, she’s a great girl - we’re on really good terms,’ the 58-year-old added. ‘There is no bitterness – not with me anyway!’

But Miss Contostavlos, 22, seemed less keen to discuss her predecessor, saying: ‘The Cheryl thing is a mystery to me.’

And fans were dubious, with Nigel Stoneman writing on Twitter: ‘Am I the only one who has twigged that the whole Cole X Factor carry on is one massive PR stunt?’ And Jenni Fryer wrote: ‘Fiver says Cheryl will be back on X Factor... I smell a PR stunt!’