Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole has apparently been told to lose her Geordie accent if she wants to crack America.

Cole, from Newcastle, is set to reprise her role as a judge on the X Factor in a forthcoming US version of the hit talent contest.

But despite wowing NBC bosses during a recent test audition, she was apparently asked to take elocution lessons to soften her strong accent for American audiences.

Cheryl has impressed US TV bosses with her stylish looks.

“They were bowled over by Cheryl and thought she was sassy, smart, charismatic and beautiful,” a source told the Daily Mirror.

“There was just one small problem - they couldn't make head nor tail of her Geordie accent.”

The Girls Aloud singer, who has been tipped for big things in the US, is currently filming the UK version of The X Factor.

Cole has joined fellow judges Dannii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh on a tour of the country as they audition new hopefuls for the forthcoming series.