Nicole Scherzinger insists she still adores Andrew Lloyd Webber after he blasted her as "crazy" for pulling out of 'Cats'.

He told The Economist: "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. "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 t**t with them all.

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

While Nicole didn't confirm if she is returning 'The X Factor' or not, she insisted that she is still a huge fan of Lord Lloyd Webber and felt blessed to have worked on the West End version of the musical.

She told Radio Times: "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."

A source added: 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."