After much back-and-forth about whether to keep Cheryl Cole as host of ‘X-Factor’, (and after Cheryl’s managers demanded 2.5 million pounds to keep her on the show), the network officially has said goodbye to the English gal.

As TMZ reported, FOX and Fremantle had fired Cole as a judge on the show because she lacked chemistry with the other judges, but Fremantle and Fox had a change of heart after figuring out how much money they would eat by paying Cheryl her fee — so they tried getting her back.

The overture didn’t work, so Nicole Scherzinger — who was originally picked as the host — will now take Cheryl’s place as a judge. Nicole’s role was in limbo while Fox and Fremantle were trying to get Cheryl back as a judge.

The new host is Steve Jones, a former model and UK TV personality.

Source Image via Fame

ABC has made a special announcement! Leading news lady Kate Couric will get her own syndicated talk show on ABC.

The network announced the deal today, unveiling the plan which puts Katie in as host and producer.  We’ve learned Katie’s mentor – former “Today” show EP Jeff Zucker — will be the Executive Producer.

As we reported, Katie will make $20 million, mostly for the talk show but there’s a relatively small amount for contributing to various ABC news shows.

Sources tell TMZ, the likelihood is … Katie will get the 3 PM time slot when the show debuts in September, 2012.  That’s the coveted slot Oprah owned for a quarter century.

Matt Lauer will NOT be part of the show.

Source Image via Fame

Remember that awesome red jacket in Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ music video?!

Well, that red jacket is going up for auction in a few weeks in Beverly Hills… and it could be yours for $400,000!

The jacket — which MJ personally autographed to his former costume designers — is expected to fetch between $200k and $400k … though we wouldn’t be shocked if it soared past half a mil.

The jacket is one of several MJ items featured in the Julien’s Auction event on June 25 and 26. Among the more interesting pieces — the wig Michael wore at his “This Is It” news conference in London and a glove he wore at the American Music Awards.

The wig is expected to haul in between $4,000 and $6,000 — and the glove is valued between $20k and $30k.

Source Image via Fame

Cute couple Ryan Seacrest and his ‘Rock of Ages’ girlfriend Julianne Hough go hand-in-hand as they stroll down the streets of South Beach after a lunch at Prime Italian in Miami. This is probably a much needed break from filming Rock of Ages for Julianne and a chance to spend some quality time together now Ryan is done with the latest season of American Idol.

Photos: Fame

Photo: Fame

Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel are dating, according to sources! Their reps claim the two are “just friends”, but they seemed to be pretty close friends while filming ‘Playing the Field’ in Shreveport, LA. last month.

Over the weekend, photos surfaced of Biel getting a ride on the back of Butler’s motorcycle in Malibu!

Before shooting began, Butler, 41, who has a reputation as a ladies’ man, and Biel, 29, who had just broken up with Justin Timberlake, were the center of attention at a cast and crew dinner at Tokyo Japanese Restaurant. One source tells PEOPLE the two stars sat next to each other the entire evening, talking and laughing, with Butler eating off of Biel’s plate.

“He knows he looks good,” the onlooker tells PEOPLE. “If I were her, I’d hook up with him. She looks good, too, and she knew she looked good, swinging her hips around.” lol, what?

The source adds: “They looked like a couple. They were having a good time.”

“Gerry has a large personality, and everyone, including Jessica, gets caught up in his world,” one insider tells PEOPLE. “I think they enjoyed each other’s company. It can be hard working on a movie, trying to establish a new routine, and it helps when you have someone with you to make you feel more normal.”

Source, Photos: Fame

Jennifer Aniston and new hot boyfriend Justin Theroux went public last night at an MTV Movie Awards after party!

SEE THE PICTURES!