Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and popstar Rita Ora will join Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the judging panel of this year’s X Factor. The pair have replaced the show’s stalwart Louis Walsh and former Spice Girl, Mel B.
Ora has had previous experience on the X Factor after being a guest judge in 2012 and has also acted as a judge on the show’s BBC equivalent, The Voice UK. The singer says she is looking forward to her new role; “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. Boom!”
Nick Grimshaw, who many had already assumed would be taking a seat on the panel following recent claims by Walsh, added; “I love X Factor and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I’m hugely excited to be joining the show. Music is my job and my passion and I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent we can find and nurture this year. I can’t wait for Judges’ Houses in Oldham!”
Grimmy’s appointment may not be overly well received however, after a recent poll on Digital Spy, run before the official announcement, suggested that over 75% of viewers did not want him as one of the new judges. New hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who previously hosted The Xtra Factor, came to his aid however by saying they thought he would make a great judge. Fernandez-Versini also enthused that she couldn’t wait to get started.
Entertainment guru, Cowell also spoke of his new appointments:
“It’s taken a while! But I am very happy to be able to confirm our line-up of judges for The X Factor this year. The combination of Nick, Cheryl and Rita is going to be a lot of fun! 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 will return to ITV1, this autumn.
