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By ANDREA MAGRATH
Honey, I'm home: Derek Hough arrives at Cheryl Cole's London house todayWith news that Cheryl Cole will be taking her place on the judging panel of US X Factor, her long distance are-they-or-aren't-they relationship with Derek Hough will get a whole lot closer.
Until she makes the move Stateside though, the rumoured couple have to make do with jetting back and forth to spend time together.
Hough arrived in London today and was whisked straight to Cheryl's north London home - but instead of sending her Rolls Royce to fetch Derek in style, the dancer was forced to hail a black cab just like everyone else.
Lukewarm welcome: Despite that Cheryl has a Rolls Royce, the dancer was forced to catch a black cab to her homeLate last year Cheryl treated herself to a £150,000 Rolls Royce Baby Phantom which now chauffeurs her about town on a daily basis.
But neither the 27-year-old - nor her luxury ride - were at Heathrow to greet Derek.
Dressed casually in a blue hoodie jumper and jeans after his flight from Los Angeles, the 25-year-old looked tired but excited as he jumped out of his cab ahead of a reunion with Cheryl.
It has been over a month since the pair saw each other. They spent New Year's together in South Africa before Cheryl returned to the UK.
Reunion: Hough looked tired after his long-haul flight but excited as he arrived at the X Factor judge's north London homeTwo weeks later she is rumoured to have held a secret meeting with ex-husband Ashley Cole in their former marital home.
Around the same time Derek is understood to have splashed out on a $650,000 West Hollywood love nest in anticipation of Cheryl's arrival in LA.
Her American X Factor dreams were in doubt for much of last month when it was rumoured that Fox producers of the program were concerned the Parachute singer's popularity wouldn't translate for American audiences.
Stylish ride: Cheryl is chauffeured about town in her Rolls Royce PhantomBut, while an official statement has yet to be made, she is understood to have signed a £10 million deal with the network.
Although boss Simon Cowell was keen to take Cheryl to the States for the show, producers over there had been concerned that not only was she not famous enough in the US, but some viewers might struggle to understand her Newcastle accent.
But after Fox executives were impressed with her style on the British show, Cheryl has apparently been given the opportunity to make a name for herself in the US.
When asked for a comment, Cheryl's spokesperson said: 'There has been no announcement on American X Factor,' adding any reports to suggest she had been formally invited to be a judge as 'speculation'.
Glamour: The 27-year-old wore a daring black gown at Tuesday night's Brit AwardsWhile a move to the States will undoubtedly be good news for her rumoured romance, Cheryl has remained mum on the status of their relationship.
The Girls Aloud star gushed about Derek during her appearance on Piers Morgan's Life Stories in November.
She said: 'He's an amazing, amazing person... I can never repay him for that (saving my life).
'I am not confirming or denying anything. People can think he's my boyfriend, people can think he's my best friend.'
source: dailymail [endtext]