I know that simon may always have a misguided infatuation with Cheryl but maybe because of her more vibrant personality I feel Simon vibes off Nicole far better and their banter and interaction is more enjoyable to watch.
However when asked on Xtra factor by Rylan whether he missed any of the past Judges (aka Cheryl) he struggled to answer and dodged this big time.

What do you guys think he feels now about a panel with him and Nicole Vs one with him and Cheryl?

Yeah I agree, I liked Simon and Cheryl interaction in 2008 (her first series) but I agree Simon and Nicole are hilarious together

Simon seems to have great banter with American female judges he sits next to Paula Demi & Nicole

Because Nicole is smart, witty and talented, besides being beautiful. Cheryl is beautiful and dumb.

I prefer Nicole to Cheryl. I don't like Simon.

Nicole is a good match for Simon because she can give as good as she gets.

Cheryl was good with him first time round although she was a bit like an angry ex with the way she used to speak to him. Second time around was like he owed her something, it was a bit strange.

I think Cheryl and Simon are funnier. She is far more cutting to him. There is also more chemistry. But Nicole is fun and wacky and good judge in her own right. Equally, i like Mel B with Simon C. Like cheryl they have fun but she can also be cutting. Nicole only ever has banter.

I would prefer a Simon - Nicole - Cheryl - some other male judge for next year ?

I'd love a Simon, Nicole, Cheryl panel too, but it will never happen.

Also I prefer Simon and Cheryl too, I liked Nicole better on the Gary panel.

I Can't bear Nicole ,so would have Simon and Cheryl anytime over Simon and Nicole

Nicole and Simon work far better as they're far more like equals than a boss/employee relationship.
I just find Cheryl vacuous and empty. There is absolutely nothing about her, she's just there

Why do you hate, Blondie X? Try to be positive

Nicole is useless and exhausting this year. I can't see a real chemistry between her and the other judges. Maybe thats the reason why she show her "all about me side". For some reasons this is a funny aspect because Louis and Sharon wanted her back.

Sometimes she was also overacted when Gary was on the panel but it wasn't so exhausting because there was chemistry between those two.

Team Cheryl and Simon.

There seems to be less chemistry between Nicole and Simon than there was between him and Cheryl. Simon seems okay with Nicole, but with Cheryl it was fun watching them talking to each other and looking at each other because it sort of bordered on flirting. Cheryl and Simon seemed to have more fun with each other when someone who obviously couldn't sing started to 'sing'. A video below of how well Cheryl and Simon got on. This might seem like an anti Nicole post but it's really not meant to be. Nicole and Simon seem to get on okay. I'm just showing how well Simon and Cheryl got on. The 'singing' starts at 0:43.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d42Cx5u7gI

Simon & Cheryl was probably better in the early years, but with Cheryl becoming such a bore in her last few years, I prefer Simon & Nicole now. Simon & Sharon also have good chemistry but it hasn't been as obvious this series as they don't sit next to each other, unlike in the early years.

The funniest relationship Simin has with any of his female co-judges is probably with Amanda Holden on BGT though. Takes the piss quite a lot but she's quite gobby and bites back.