Nichole Scherzinger and Steve Jones not returning to X Factor

A double dose of disappointment has hit Simon Cowell’s The X Factor. Not only is host Steve Jones not returning to host next season’s competition, Pussycat Dolls songstress Nichole Scherzinger has also announced that she will not be the FOX program either.

Jones informed his fans via Twitter earlier this evening, “I won’t be hosting next seasons XFactor which is a shame but I can’t complain as I've had a great time. Good luck to everyone on the show.” NBC Chicago notes that this information may not come as a surprise.

According to the news site, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly dropped hints publically that Jones may not be returning as host. He is quoted as stating, “There will be some changes ... as we know [hosting] is a much harder job than meets the eye. I think everybody has come to see the value of Ryan Seacrest. Whether Steve is the guy or not, it comes under the heading of growth in general." Jones’ manager notes that the split is amicable.

As for Scherzinger, the pop singer admits that she would like to spend more time on her music career. The first-time-judge admits that she isn’t truly a fan of the judging process, but that she is more about the artist than anything. A source close to the star states, “X Factor took a lot more of her time than she ever expected. She didn't have any time really to work on her music. She was doing X Factor six days a week."

Scherzinger, who is openly emotional on the show, admits to having a hard time when favorites get eliminated. She states, “It breaks my heart and that's why I'm crying, too…I'm not a judge first—I'm an artist first. I've been there. I know what it's like."

Currently, Scherzinger is working on her upcoming tour which will take place in Europe. Simon Cowell has given Nichole his blessing on her recent departure.