Pussycat Dolls star Kimberly Wyatt has hinted that the group's relations with front woman Nicole Scherzinger are troubled and she sees the singer as a "business associate" instead of a pal.

Rumours have been circulating that the band was being torn apart by infighting and discontent among the bandmates, and that the lesser-known members were jealous of Scherzinger's leading role in the group.

The band confirmed it is on hiatus earlier this month, but insisted it is a "much-needed" break rather than a split, Daily Star newspaper reported.

But Wyatt reignited speculation that the band can no longer work with Scherzinger, insisting that she believes the group could easily work without its leading star.

"I get on with most of the band but not everyone. Look, at the end of the day it's a job - we all have our own lives to lead and our own projects going on. I think of Nicole as a business associate, not as a friend. You cannot simply group girls together and just expect them to get on, can you? Life doesn't work like that," Wyatt said.

"If Nicole left tomorrow, we could still carry on. I can see this band going forever," she added.