Nicole Scherzinger praises Sharon Osbourne’s guts

Nicole Scherzinger loves how Sharon Osbourne can be nurturing but still has “balls to the wall”.

The former Pussycat Doll is to sit alongside the outspoken star on the upcoming X Factor U.K.’s judging panel, a post the pair previously held at the same time for the tenth series in 2013. Joining them are original judges Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell, but it’s Sharon, 63, who Nicole is most excited about working with again.

“She’s the queen and I have nothing but the utmost respect for her,” the singer gushed to Britain’s OK! magazine. “She’s been there for me from the beginning. I don’t know if many people know this, but I was part of her Judge’s House about 10 years ago, when I was just starting out in the Pussycat Dolls... I just love her, she’s so nurturing yet she’s balls to the wall!”

Nicole, 38, also joked about working with music mogul Simon, 56, again. As the head of The X Factor, it was his decision to bring her back to the show and the upcoming series 13 marks the first time the pair will work alongside each other on the British version of the show, though they did co-star on the American X Factor in 2011.

“Ever since he became a dad (to son Eric, now two) he’s softening up a lot,” Nicole smiled. “I feel like his critiques are very honest, very Simon, no nonsense, he won’t beat around the bush. But at the same time he feels people; he’s quite sensitive, he knows how to handle certain people.”

Not forgetting Irish music manager Louis, Nicole joked that she’s enjoyed getting goofy with him once again and sharing their love for “potatoes and Guinness”.