The prospect of replacing he nations sweetheart Cheryl Cole is enough to give anyone the heebeegeebeez and Tulisa Contostavlos was no different.

The N-Dubz star admitted that she was terrified of stepping into former X Factor judge – and golden girl – Cheryl Coles shoes.

Not only did she have to match up to Cheryl’s stage presence, but she also came under fire for changing her style to copy the geordy lass.

But last week, the troubled judge revealed that a sympathetic Cheryl had be intouched to offer support.

Despite claims by last years X Factor contestants, Cher Llyod and Rebecca Ferguson having not heard so much as a peep out of their mentor, it seems Cheryl was on speed dial to assure the N -Dubz star was taking the right move.

“I spoke to her when I was offered the job,” explained Tulisa, 23.

“I had been worried if I hadn’t checked she was OK with me being in her seat. She felt the same and actually contacted me first to make sure I wasn’t worried.

“Cheryl told me their was no bitterness between us and to go for it.”

In fact, Chazza’s kept in touch with Tulisa ever since, sending her a congratulatory text after her debut on the ITV1 Saturday night show.

“She’s been so supportive and that’s helped me a lot,” added the N-dubz star.

However, as the auditions have rolled on week after week, it looks as though the dynamic in the judging panel has changed.

Whilst the media in the build up to the show ramped and raved about the ‘new’ Tulisa and how she it set to become the face of the hit show, in actual fact it appears to be Kelly Rowland that is stealing the lime light…

As the episodes continue to air, it is the Destiny’s Child star that is poised center stage with the cameras following her every move, while Tulisa is left fading into the background.

Instead of filling Cheryl’s shoes, the London girl has seemed to settle for Dannii Minogue‘s Pettit pair.