Rita Ora ditches The Voice to judge The X Factor!
The judging panel is revealed
The judging panel for the new series of The X Factor has been revealed this morning!
X Factor head honcho Simon Cowell will be joined by the returning Cheryl Fernandez-Versini plus new judges Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw.
As widely expected, Louis Walsh has left the ITV talent show after eleven series, while Mel B also won’t be returning.
Rita guest judged The X Factor in 2009 alongside Louis Walsh, Tulisa, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger and last year was a judge on X Factor’s BBC rival The Voice.
In a statement, Rita enthused: "I am excited to be coming back to The X Factor – I had a ball here in 2012. This is a journey I can't wait to embark on to find some talented singers. It’s the new generation taking over. Booooom"
Despite rumours that she faced the chop, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini says she can’t wait to get stuck into the new series.
“I haven't been as excited about an X Factor season since I first became a judge,” Cheryl said.
Simon Cowell joked: “I have a feeling I am in for a bit of a rough time but sometimes you have to embrace the craziness and now, with luck, we hope to find a star.”
The X Factor returns to ITV in the autumn and applications are now open for the new series.