Judge's problem: Cheryl Cole's assault conviction may prevent her being granted a U.S. visa to take up her role on the American version of the X Factor
Cheryl Cole’s American dream may be scuppered – as a result of an assault conviction seven years ago.
The Daily Mail told yesterday how Mrs Cole had landed a place on the judging panel of the U.S. version of the X Factor in a deal worth up to £3million.
However, now Mrs Cole’s American dream may be jeopardised by her conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) in 2003.
U.S. law states that all convictions – indeed, all arrests – have to be disclosed on visa application forms.
Some less serious offences may not affect work visas.
However, according to Susan McFadden - a partner with Gudeon and McFadden law firm who specialise in U.S. visa and immigration - in more serious cases an appeal to the U.S. authorities may be necessary.
Snapped: Cheryl Tweedy, as she was then, arrives at Kingston Crown court charged with punching toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa ...
‘If the conviction is for something that triggers ineligibility the person would have to appeal for a waive,' she said.
Miss McFadden added that her firm had been instructed by the U.S. embassy that with regards to more serious crimes it would depend on ‘facts regarding the conviction' before a decision is made.
However, she said this can lead to 'permanently ineligibility' from being allowed a U.S. work visa in certain cases.
.. and departs after being found guilty of the assault
Mrs Cole attacked Sophie Amogbokpa, a toilet attendant, at Drink nightclub in Guildford, Surrey in January 2003.
In October that year, Mrs Cole was found guilty as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
At the time, Mrs Cole – who had been catapulted to stardom the previous December after her band Girls Aloud emerged from TV show Popstars: The Rivals - was sentenced to 120 hours unpaid community service.
She was also ordered to Miss Amogbokpa £500 compensation and prosecution costs of £3,000.
Mrs Cole – who was 19 at the time - punched Miss Amogbokpa after she tried to stop the singer taking some lollipops.
Despite the shame, Mrs Cole’s career has since gone from strength to strength.
As well as achieving huge success with Girls Aloud, last year she launched a solo music career. She has since secured two No1 albums on her own.
She has also been a hugely successful judge on the X Factor.
As we said yesterday, on Saturday night Mrs Cole was officially offered the job as a judge on the US edition of the talent show.
The singer had already been in discussions to launch her music career in the U.S. next spring.
A show source said: 'When Cheryl goes to America she will also launch her music career there too.
'It's the next part of her big plan, she's an incredibly hard worker and she will definitely get a boost by appearing on the X Factor, which is set to be a sure-fire hit.'
X Factor Svengali Simon Cowell, 51, has revealed he plans to officially announce the judges for the U.S. version later this month.
Mrs Cole, who has an estimated £10million fortune, will earn £1.5million for this series of the X Factor - but will make up to twice as much from her U.S. television deal, as the budget for the show is considerably larger.
She is already accustomed to the U.S. lifestyle, having spent weeks in Los Angeles working on her music and spending time with her close friend Derek Hough as she recovered from malaria.
She was in California as her divorce from her footballer husband Ashley Cole was finalised in October.
Seductive: Previously unseen pictures show Khloe Kardashian posing in a bathtub of sweets
They are more famous for walking the red carpet and being followed by the paparazzi than for much else.
So obviously the Kardashian sisters have working the camera down to an art form. And judging by these previously unseen family photographs, it is something they learned from a young age.
Khloe Kardashian, 26, is seen in one picture reclining in a bathtub full of sweets, sucking seductively on a lollipop.
Despite showing off the raunchy picture, the reality star has spoken out against young girls feeling pressured to grow up too fast.
Appearing on talk show The View with her sisters to promote their new book Kardashian Konfidential, Khloe revealed how she lost her virginity at 14 to an older boyfriend.
Khloe, 26, opened up about losing her virginity at age 14 to her 18-year-old boyfriend, and how much she regrets it now.
'Looking back I think that's not a normal thing,' she admitted, saying she almost felt 'conned' by her older partner.
Sibling stars: Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian showed off childhood photos when they appeared on The View this morning
'Well, not conned, but persuaded, because he was older and I felt I wouldn't be accepted or cool or whatever,' she said.
'Then I do remember when I was done, I felt, after two months of secretly dating this guy, I felt so disgusted with myself,' she added.
'I stopped talking to him and actually didn’t have sex for three years after that because I knew I was young and I knew I wasn’t ready.'
'I felt so disgusted with myself,' Khloe said.
It's a Kardashian Khristmas! Kourtney, Kim, Robert and Khloe all pose for their holiday card
Say cheese! Kourtney, Khloe, Rob and Kim made a very cute little gang
'“Don’t let anyone pressure you, it’s not worth it and how I felt afterwards.'
She then admitted that perhaps she should have followed the guidance of her parents, mother Kris Jenner and father Robert Kardashian.
She said: 'I should have listened to my parents.'
Kourtney, Kim and Khloe have opened up in the autobiography about their lives, including about the pain of losing their father Robert in 2003.
Teenage dreams: Khloe, Rob, Kim and Kourtney pose with little Kendall and Kylie
So sweet: Khloe, Kourtney and Kim have always been close
The sisters and their brother Rob lost their father Robert seven years ago, when he died, aged 57 from throat cancer.
But, although he is gone he is obviously not forgotten, and Kim, Khloe and Kourtney still hold his memory dear to their hearts.
Long before his daughters became reality TV stars, Robert was the original famous Kardashian - renowned for his legal work and for being a key player in OJ Simpson's infamous murder trial.
Ubertan! Kim attended the New Jersey Nets vs Portland Trail Blazers basketball game at the Prudential Center in Newark New Jersey, last night
Back in the day: Robert Kardashian, who died in 2003, is flanked by his three teenage daughters, Khloe, Kourtney and Kim in an old family snap
Robert's license to practice law had actually expired three years prior to Simpson's arrest following the murder of his estranged wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman.
But he reactivated his license so he could serve as a volunteer assistant on Simpson's defence team, and sat by the ex-NFL player's side throughout the trial.
The two, who had been friends since meeting in 1970, were so close that Simpson actually stayed with the Kardashian family at their house following the murders.
Original star: Robert became a family name when he came out of retirement to volunteer as an assistant on his friend OJ Simpson's legal defence team
But it was clear that his daughters remember him for way more than his legal eagle defence skills.
The three girls appeared on the Today show this morning in New York as part of their promotional tour for their new autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential.
They shared their stories about their rise to fame with Today show host Matt Lauer and also shared some candid shots of the girls and their father from their family album.
Robert had divorced from the girls' mother, Kris in 1990 and went on to marry Ellen Pierson just months before he died in September 2003.
Family time! The Kardashians enjoy Thanksgiving at Bruce and Kris Jenner's house
But Robert remained close to his girls, and son, Robert Jr. and was an integral part of their lives as they grew up.
The girls showed off various pictures from happy times they spent with their father, including a group shot of the teenage girls grinning widely whilst playful Khloe pokes out her tongue.
There's also a picture of their proud father flanked by his two oldest daughters, Kourtney and Kim on a family skiing trip.
Lovely ladies: Kim poses with her grandmother as they partake in the Thanksgiving feast
And despite growing up in a privileged, wealthy family, thirty-year-old Kim told Lauer that their mother and father always raised them from a young age to appreciate the value of money.
In fact, Kim shared that when she borrowed money from her father he made her repay the amount with interest.
The three elaborated further on that in their autobiography.
'Our dad used to say, "Nothing in life is for free, you girls aren’t going to get just whatever you want." The girls wrote.
Little nephew: Kim poses with Kourtney and Scott's little son Mason
The family that eats together: Rob, Lamar, Kim and Khloe all pose for the camera
'So no credit cards. He did let us use his credit card but we still had to pay for our own stuff beyond the basics. Our parents wouldn’t foot the bill for Gucci shoes or designer clothes.
'If we wanted to do any serious shopping, we had to come up with the cash.
'Kim even went into debt with our dad once and had to pay him back plus interest. It was just a couple thousand dollars, but to us, that was a lot.
'And our mom and dad made it very clear that we would be totally cut off after we finished school. So we all learned early on if you want money, you have to earn it.'
Rich but not spoilt: Kourtney and Khloe revealed that their parents raised them from an early age to appreciate the value of money and work hard to earn it
Despite obviously missing their father, the Kardashians still enjoy a fun-filled Thanksgiving as a family.
Kim posted on Twitter about Thanksgiving and put up pictures of the extended family, including her step-father Bruce Jenner, half sisters Kendell and Kylie and Khloe's husband Lamar Odom.
She says: 'Here are some pics from Thanksgiving at my mom and Bruce's house! I am so thankful for my amazing family! We had a great time.
New venture: The sisters appeared on the Today Show in New York this morning to promote their autobiography, Kardashian Konfidential
'I'm so glad Lamar was able to take a break from his hectic basketball schedule to join us. Even Gunnar came! He is my trainer and a good family friend, so it kind of made me feel bad for eating so much! LOL.
'How cute does my grandma MJ look? As you can see, Mason was not really feeling me that day, LOL.
'Another amazing Thanksgiving with my wonderful family. I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for you all.'
Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian on The View - 11/29/2010 Part 1
Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian on The View - (11/29/2010 ) Part 2
The View - NOV 29 2010 - Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian INTERVIEW Part 3
Black tie: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive in warm clothes for the Paris premiere of his new animated film Megamind
It's one of the most romantic cities in the world.
And judging by tonight, Paris has rubbed off on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
The couple appeared smitten with each other as they appeared at the premiere of Brad's latest film Megamind in the French capital.
Sealed with a kiss: Brad and Angelina get cosy in the French capital
The couple arrived warmly dressed in black to keep out the Parisian cold, with Angelina sporting a velvet trouser suit and sparkling top.
Brad, who provides the voice of Metroman in the animated film, wore leather trousers and a dark grey suit jacket.
They appeared smitten on the blue carpet, with Brad at one point planting a kiss on a delighted Angelina's cheek and holding hands.
Brad also wrapped his arm around his partner as they chatted to the film's star Will Ferrell.
Look of love: Angelina and Brad couldn't take their eyes off each other
Look smart: The couple wrapped up warm in black coats, with Angelina sporting spiky black heels with her velvet trouser suit
Angelina also spent time with the waiting fans, signing autographs before she went inside.
The couple had spent the previous day with four of their six children as they celebrated their son Pax's seventh birthday by having a hot air balloon ride and riverboat cruise.
'They were like any other family,' the balloon's operator told People.'There was nothing out of the ordinary to tell you about them which made them any different from any other family.'
He added that the 'charming' couple had a 20 minute ride with the children who were 'excited but well-behaved. What I think they wanted was a little moment of peace.'
Happy together: The smiling couple share a joke with Brad's Megamind co-star Will Ferrell
Autograph hunter: Angelina meets and greets the fans in the French cold
Autograph hunter: Angelina meets and greets the fans in the French cold
Fireball: Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) is seen walking away from a huge explosion which throws other characters to the ground
It's the soap scene everyone is talking about - the tram crash in Weatherfield which leaves THREE main Coronation Street characters dead.
But it's not just the crash which claims victims, as these terrifying new pictures of a huge fireball ripping through the town show.
In one shot, a desperate Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) attempts to protect baby Jack from the fire and shattered glass in Dev's corner shop, while in another, Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is seen thrown to the floor by the force of the explosion.
Death and destruction: The explosion, the result of a tram crash, is expected to kill three main characters
The scenes, which have apparently cost over £1million to film, are to mark the 50th anniversary of the show, and will be screened next Monday night.
And while it is speculated that three of the main characters will die, it is not known which of the stars it will be.
According to some reports, Kabin owner Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox, 77, and Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hedben, 70, are missing after the crash.
Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, 33, is left buried under the rubble while Sunita Alahan, played by Shobna Gulati, 44, is left fighting for her life after becoming trapped in her shop.
Terrifying: Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) is seen trying to protect baby Jack as the fireball rips through the town
Violent: Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly) is thrown backwards by the sheer force of the explosion
Stunt doubles, pyrotechnics specialists, special effects experts and computer generated imagery are all being used to ensure the event is the most spectacular in the show's 50 year history.
Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson said earlier this year: 'All last week we filmed the exciting and explosive moments that lead to the tram crashing from the viaduct.
'The early scenes are wonderful and everyone is pulling together through the night to bring the brilliant scripts to life.
Realistic: A previous publicity shot shows the tram stuck in the Kabin post office in between takes
'Now with the tram in situ, it is time to start filming the dramatic scenes that explore the immediate aftermath of this terrible accident. Weatherfield will definitely never be the same again!'
In the dramatic scenes the tram is seen falling from the viaduct after a massive explosion at The Joinery bar, with the front of the vehicle causing damage to the Alahans' Corner Shop, while the second carriage hits Norris Cole's general store.
Collinson revealed he had to ask ITV bigwigs for more money to shoot the scenes. He said: 'We've had a significant amount of extra money from ITV for this stunt.
It's the most money we've ever spent in the show's history; it's going to be a spectacular set of episodes.'
Night of luxury: Jenny Eclair and Stacey Solomon were treated to a night of luxury on I'm A Celebrity
Jenny Eclair and Stacey Solomon were treated to a night of luxury after leading their Camp Sheila to victory.
While Jenny succeeded in getting seven stars in the Bushtucker Trial, Stacey beat Linford in a Bounceroo challenge.
And, after winning the luxurious night for herself and another celebrity, Stacey decided to take Jenny following her earlier success.
Proper beds! The girls were given luxurious single beds with duvets, cushions and plump pillows
Stacey and Jenny were treated to beds with duvets, pillows and cushions, a mini bar which included miniatures and beer, sweets and nuts, a bedside table and a rug on the jungle floor.
After arriving for their peaceful evening, Stacey said: 'This is exciting stuff! We've got dressing gowns, we've got peanuts and drink and clean water.'
Jenny said: 'We've got beds with clean sheets and huge cushions and nothing smells of cockroaches! I do feel slightly guilty but not too guilty.'
Girly night: They ate sweets, drank alcohol and had a chat about their fellow campmates
Night night: Jenny and Stacey bid each other good night as they settle down in their luxury beds
The celebrities were told earlier in the day they would be divided into their original teams - Camp Bruce and Camp Sheila - for one competition in which a member from each camp would go up against each other in the Bounceroo.
They were also told the winning team would experience a night of luxury while the losers would have to cope with a night of terror.
After Stacey and Linford volunteered themselves, they made their way to the clearing where they found two huge vats of rotten fruit with tubes attached.
Not so nice: Meanwhile Linford and Aggro had to endure a night of terror after losing a task
Terrified: Linford and Aggro didn't get much sleep while spending the night in the terror cave
They were then told they would have to squash as much fruit to make as much liquid as possible while wearing kangaroo suits and bouncing up and down on elastic.
And while Linford got off to a good start, his enthusiasm didn't match Stacey's analytical skills.
After figuring out which of the fruits would liquidise the easiest, Stacey quickly got the hang of things, and ended up beating her Olympic champion competitor.
Afterwards, Stacey said: 'We were so competitive…I don’t think he was that happy I won…he was a bit of a sulk.'
Bounceroo! Linford and Stacey donned kangaroo outfits to bounce on rotten fruit to get juice out
Winner! Stacey thought about the task tactically and ended up beating Olympic champion Linford
And a disappointed Linford confessed: 'You whooped my a*s! I’m thinking how do I tell the guys I’ve lost and will one of them come and spend a night of terror.'
When they headed back to camp, Linford decided to test his campmates by asking who wanted to spend a night of luxury before adding that he would choose who were quickest to respond for the night of terror.
On the other side of camp, Stacey was keen for one of her campmates to take her place and to go with another celebrity for the luxurious night.
But the rest of the ladies refused to let her forfeit her win, and Stacey eventually decided she would take Jenny with her, because she completed the task so successfully earlier in the day.
Explosion: Jenny Eclair completed the Dreaded Digger task, which Gillian refused to take part
Determined: Jenny's competitive side set in and she ended up winning seven stars for camp
However, on the boys team, the decision was not so easy as Dom refused to go as he had already had a night of terror when he first started on the show.
He told Jenny: 'I've had a bad one. I've been in Guantanamo and I'm not doing it again. I'll do the task tomorrow.'
At the end of the day, Aggro decided he would keep the calm and volunteered to go with Linford for the night of terror.
The pair then had their worst fears recognised when they were told they would have to spend the night in a dark cave, with only a candle for light, where they were joined by guests including spiders and cockroaches.
Uninvited guests: Jenny was joined by cockroaches, meal worms and nippy green ants in the digger
They were told they would have to last the whole night in order to win tea, coffee and pastries for the rest of camp.
Linford and Aggro were given the option of leaving the cave at any time, but that would mean the girls would have to leave their luxury as well.
When the boys and the girls headed back into camp, Stacey and Jenny tried to play down their night by just labelling it 'good'.
And when the boys came back, they labelled it a 'piece of p**s' before giving their tea and coffee to the rest of the camp.
Poo-gate: Kayla was furious after having to clear up someone else's faeces in the jungle toilet
Aggro said: 'We got breakfast for the camp, everybody's happy and I think we're going to have a good day.'
Earlier in the day, Jenny had blasted fellow campmate Gillian McKeith after she managed to get seven stars on the 'Dreaded Digger' Bushtucker Trial which the nutritionist refused to even try.
As she returned to camp after the trial, the comedian told the rest of her celebrities the trial was something 'a four-year-old could have done'.
But the comment didn't go down too well with Gillian, who accused Jenny of trying to make her feel bad.
First of all, the camp had to decide which of them would be taking part in the Dreaded Digger task.
After realising it was the task Gillian had refused to do, Dom said: 'It's the one Gillian pulled out of because she was unable to turn a wheel.'
Who needs a coat? Partygoers hit the town in snowy Newcastle at the weekend
Temperatures have plunged across the UK, with roads blocked, school closures and heavy snow blanketing huge swathes of the country.
Not that you'd know it from these bracing pictures of female revellers in Newcastle city centre this weekend.
A passenger jet had overshot a runway at the city's airport on Thursday but on Saturday night the girls pictured showed they didn't mind some fog on the Tyne, or snow in the Bigg Market.
The north-east city's racecourse was closed on Saturday after at least six inches of snow fell and Chelsea FC were unable to fly home from their away draw with Newcastle United on Sunday due to the poor weather conditions.
But the cold winds and icy streets were no obstacle for city centre partygoers on Saturday night, as ladies hit the town in the skimpiest of outfits.
Newcastle's women were voted the sexiest in the UK in a 2009 survey and it seemed that the possibility of a coat ruining their revealing outfits was more frightening than freezing to death or having a painful skid on the slippery pavements.
Let's gan doon the Toon: Girls trudge through the snow and ice in Newcastle
No, I'm not cold, honestly: Geordie lasses try to keep warm on a chilly evening According to new research, Northern women wear skirts that are on average 17cm shorter than those worn in the south.
Even in the cold weather, short skirts remain the trend in Newcastle, with sales of mini skirts rising by 28 per cent at one Newcastle store in the last month.
Renowned as one of the friendliest parts of the UK, the Tyne and Wear region is also famed for its bracing weather and locals' apparent imperviousness to cold.
Controversial comedian Jimmy Carr once joked that 'owns a coat' could be used as a put-down in Newcastle and as girls hit the town in cowboy hats, sailor outfits and barely-there dresses, the city's reputation for wearing skimpy clothing whatever the weather looks hard to argue with.
So ingrained is the concept of Geordies' hardiness that researchers last year investigated whether Newcastle natives had naturally thicker skin than their southern counterparts.
Linda Conlon, chief executive of the Centre for Life, said: ‘We decided to investigate the reputation Geordies have for not wearing a coat in even the worst weather.
‘Is there a possible genetic reason for our bravery or is it simply because we like to show off our finery on a night out?’
Cowgirl in the cold: A reveller struggles with the slippery Newcastle streets
Whether the Geordie lasses can continue to defy the cold for the next few weeks remains to be seen, with forecasters warning of another fortnight of sub-zero temperatures.
Michael Dukes, of MeteoGroup, predicted readings of minus 20C in some parts of Scotland this week.
‘You are seeing some ridiculously low temperatures – like the middle of Scandinavia,’ he said.
‘This is certainly an extraordinary cold snap.’
Scotland and the north-east have been the worst affected by the wintry weather so far and police have advised people to stay inside for all but essential travel.
Excited: Gillian McKeith couldn't stop smiling after she was finally voted off I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
After 17 days of moaning and annoying her campmates with her refusal to take part in trials, Gillian McKeith's time in the jungle has finally come to an end.
The nutritionist survived the jungle for over two weeks, but caused controversy with her frequent 'fainting', which was deemed 'fake' by many viewers and some of her fellow celebrities.
And Gillian said she was thrilled to be out of the camp, telling Ant and Dec: 'I'm so happy, I'm so happy I cannot tell you! I'm the happiest person alive.'
Legendary: Gillian's many fainting attacks have becoming something of a legend and have gone down in I'm A Celebrity history
She also spoke about the numerous fainting attacks she suffered during her time on the show, insisting they weren't fake.
Gillian said: 'I have a history of fainting, it's not something that I would ever want to do - it feels horrible. When I stood up my legs felt like jelly and then I woke up with the mask on. It's horrible.'
Time to go home: It was between Gillian and Aggro Santos, but viewers voted for Gillian to be evicted
She also admitted she had no idea why she had decided to take part in the ITV show considering all her phobias.
Gillian, who took part in EIGHT Bushtucker Trials, said: 'I must have lost my marbles. I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't think I would be picked for all these trials, I thought I would be cooking all the time!'
Ecstatic: Gillian couldn't believe her luck when she was told she would be going home
And Gillian labelled taking part in the trials 'so draining', adding to Ant and Dec: 'The first day I thought that would be it and then each day it would start again and the anxiety levels grew into panic attack mode - I felt as thought I was on high alert all the time.
'I was petrified I was going to get to do more trials. I thought, I've had my Hallelujah moment, I don't want to ruin it.'
The 51-year-old also spoke about the Dreaded Digger task, which Jenny Eclair had taken part in earlier in the show, but which she refused even to try.
Tentative: Gillian walked slowly across the bridge to meet Ant and Dec for her post-eviction interview
Revealing all: Gillian said she must have 'lost her marbles' by agreeing to go on the show
She explained: 'I felt like I had a breakdown in that digger. I felt like I was so emotionally raw I had nothing left to give. I would have liked to have tried but my brain wouldn't kick in with all those levers and everything.
'I thought I was going to faint and there would be bugs all over me - I couldn't do it.'
During her interview with Ant and Dec, Gillian was shown footage of her numerous arguments with former Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder, who was more than a little vocal about his dislike of the TV presenter.
I'm free! Gillian makes her way across the bridge as she heads back to the real world
Together again: Gillian was met by her lookalike daughter Skylar
But Gillian said she doesn't hold a grudge, adding: 'The funny part is we got on sometimes but other times it was just frightening.
'He's a warm-hearted guy, he's kind and generous but there are times I just can't take the way he behaves.'
However, there was one celebrity Gillian connected with more than all the others - former X Factor star Stacey Solomon.
Asked who she wants to be crowned the winner of the show on Saturday, Gillian said: 'Stacey, without a doubt - she's definitely the Queen of the jungle in my book.'
Cringe-making: While Gillian deemed her fainting attacks 'embarrassing', she insisted they were entirely real
Judge's problem: Cheryl Cole's assault conviction may prevent her being granted a U.S. visa to take up her role on the American version of the X Factor
Snapped: Cheryl Tweedy, as she was then, arrives at Kingston Crown court charged with punching toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa ...
.. and departs after being found guilty of the assault
