The ex-Pussycat Doll will fly as far as Abu Dhabi and Brazil at a cost of at least £50,000 a time to keep their relationship on track.

Friends of the talent show judge say Nicole is keen to stay close to the Formula 1 star, 27, while filming every weekend from October to Christmas.

A friend told The Sun newspaper: "Lewis will sort some flights out for her, but she's booking some herself and they're eye-wateringly expensive."

Last month the couple's relationship hit a rough patch when Lewis was pictured partying with a group of ladies at a London hotel.

Nicole also wants to rent a £20,000-a-month London home to "escape the madness" while working on the show.

The friend added: "If she has any cash left at the end of this I'd be surprised."

Meanwhile, Nicole is facing her first challenge on the show from fellow panelist Tulisa Contostavlos.

The 24-year-old star has said she wants Tinie Tempah as her judges' houses sidekick, days after it emerged Nicole has asked for him.

A source said: "The bitching could begin before the show airs."