There’s been gossip circulating for a good few weeks now regarding whose going to be joining the Xfactor Judging Panel for this years series of the show. Finally, today, after much speculation, the line-up has been revealed!
Producers have confirmed that two new judges will be joining this years panel – solo artist, Rita Ora and her close pal, Nick Grimshaw, who presents BBC Radio 1’s breakfast show.
Rita and Nick are replacing long-standing judge Louis Walsh, who was part of the show for eleven years and Mel B, who only took part in last years series.
There has been much debate over whether Rita would join The XFactor, as she was a judge on BBC’s rival programme, The Voice in 2014.
According to reports, Simon offered her 1.5m to jump ship… so perhaps it wasn’t quite such a hard decision after all! However, other reports have suggested that due to Rita’s busy schedule, she wasn’t able to be pat of The Voice for a second series.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised by the latest revelation. After all, it’s not the first time Simon Cowells pinched a judge from the BBC. Back in 2012, he got Alesha Dixon to leave Strictly Come Dancing to join Britain’s Got Talent.
There’s been mixed responses about the new panel, but one things for sure… now the show has two new judges, as well as two new hosts (Ollie Murs and Caroline Flack) this years series is sure to be different from previous years. We’ll just have to wait until September to see whether we think the changes have had a positive influence. Regardless, we’re looking forward to having the good, the bad and the damn right terrible (but entertaining) singers back on our tellies this Autumn!
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