Leona Lewis to make Broadway debut as she replaces Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in Cats... after singer 'dropped out to return to The X Factor'

X Factor winner Leona Lewis will replace Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats.

The singer announced the news on Twitter on Thursday, writing: 'Can't even believe this. I'm thrilled & honoured to announce I'll be playing the part of Grizabella in @CatsBroadway!'

Cats creator Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber  added:'Very excited to welcome @leonalewis to the @CatsMusical family in @CatsBroadway.'

Scroll down for video 

Bleeding Love this role! X Factor winner Leona Lewis will replace Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats

The new hire comes after the theatre impresario was left furious after former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger but pulled out earlier this month just before rehearsals began.

Scherzinger dropped out amid reports she is set to sign a big money deal to return to The X Factor.

Talking to Anne McElvoy, from The Economist, Lloyd Webber slammed her decision, saying he was 'furious' with the singer for letting him down.

He said: 'A week before we were due to go into rehearsals with Cats, which luckily I'm not producing I have to say, she calls me and says she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to it.

The impresario is not impressed: The new hire comes after the theatre impresario was left furious after former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger but pulled out earlier this month just before rehearsals began 

West End star: Scherzinger received critical acclaim for her performance as Grizabella in Cats the musical but will not now be starring in the show on Broadway

'She's crazy, but the American producers took a view of, "Oh fine, we'll get someone else." She's actually not that well known in America. She's better known here.

'I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically brilliant girl and I went out on a limb to get her at the Palladium and now I look like an absolute twot with them all.' 

Adding: 'Nevermind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award.'

Furious: He said, 'A week before we were due to go into rehearsals with Cats, which luckily I'm not producing I have to say, she calls me and says she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to it'

But Nicole hit back and told the MailOnline: 'I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalized. 

'I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it work this time around.

'I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.'

Returning to the chair: Nicole Scherzinger, far right, first appeared as a permanent judge alongside (from left) Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow on season nine of the X Factor in 2012

A source also told MailOnline: 'Being on Broadway is a dream for Nicole but the commitment the show required made her rethink accepting the offer. 

'Nicole also has a music and acting career so needs to find time for that as well. Rehearsals were still a few weeks away and although contracts were being discussed Nicole never signed up to do it.' 

The popstar, who appeared on the X Factor panel in 2012 and 2013, will likely rejoin the show alongside veteran judges Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell.

Rumours about her coming back occurred just hours after Rita announced she would not be returning for the upcoming series, reportedly to allow her to focus on her music career.

Veteran judges: Miss Scherzinger, pictured with Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Barlow on season 10 of the X Factor in 2013

A source close to Miss Scherzinger said at the time:  'Rita had been in discussions [to return] but it became apparent she was no longer the automatic top option.

'Nicole Scherzinger was a huge success whens she was on the X Factor a few years ago and has long been part of the X Factor family. She provided fun and entertainment and a huge personality to the show. She is the definite favourite to get the seat next to Simon.'

Singer Cheryl, 32, and Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, 31, have also quit the show, meaning show creator Simon Cowell will be the only remaining member of last year's panel.

Hosts Olly Murs, 31, and Caroline Flack, 36, have also left the show.

Miss Ora, 25, commented on the news of her departure on social media, making it clear she wanted to stay on good terms with Cowell.

She wrote: 'I had a ball on @TheXFactor last year and will miss the team.' 

The old panel: Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini have all walked away from the show after appearing on the panel last year. Hosts Olly Murs and Caroline Flack also announced their departures

 

Leaving on good terms: Rita Ora took to social media to confirm she would not be returning to the show

She later tweeted: '@simoncowell can't wait to work with you again... I'll be round for dinner soon. Thank you for the experience & love X'

Sources said she is choosing to focus on her music and film career.   

An X Factor spokesman said: 'Rita bought a great energy to the show last year and did a brilliant job mentoring the girls' category, leading Louisa to victory.

'We wish her all the best with her music and film plans for the rest of the year.' 

Nicole Scherzinger, who burst on to the pop scene as part of girl group the Pussycat Dolls, fast became a favourite with viewers when she made guest appearances on the show in 2010. 

She appeared as a judge on the US version of the reality show before being offered a permanent place on the UK X Factor panel alongside Walsh, Osbourne and Gary Barlow, in 2012. 

That year she mentored the 'boys' category, with James Arthur going on to win the show. 

The singer, who previously dated F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, was so popular that she was offered a reported £1.5million to return for season 10 of the show the following year.

Miss Scherzinger left the show after landing a multi-million pound deal with Sony. Later that year she made her West End debut in Cats, receiving critical acclaim for her performance as Grizabella. 

Former flame: Miss Scherzinger, 37, previously dated F1 champion Lewis Hamilton (pictured together)