Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom could not be happier to have joined The X Factor family. HELLO! Online caught up with the new Xtra Factor hosts during the London auditions, where the presenting duo talked about the fun they were having working on the show.
"There's very much a family vibe, everyone's looking out for each other," Melvin said of the show's new line-up. "Rochelle's taking care of me."
While you may expect the pair to feel nervous about joining the long-running entertainment show alongside their predecessors Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, Melvin insists they were made to feel "really comfortable straight away".
© Photo: ITVRochelle and Melvin are the new Xtra Factor hosts
"They [Caroline and Olly] have been really helpful and they've told us how it's worked years before," Melvin said, while Rochelle said it was made easier by the fact that they already knew the judges before they started filming.
"It instantly wasn't like 'Oh no this is a new job and you don't know anyone' and 'We've got to go and interview some judges'. It was like 'Grimmy you're coming over here,'" Rochelle joked.
Despite other series being subject to rumours of feuds between judges, Rochelle said new recruits Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw are getting on "really well" with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell.
© Photo: ITVThe duo said there is a 'family vibe' on the show this year
"It's funny because we thought it was going to be just Grimmy and Rita who were friends, but Grimmy and Cheryl are so solid. It's nice to see everyone getting on," Melvin explained.
Rochelle added: "It's really nice. Simon looks like he's really enjoying himself, it's a really nice mix of characters."
As for what we can expect from the contestants?
© Photo: ITVCaroline Flack and Olly Murs have been giving Rochelle and Melvin advice
"You’re going to see some really interesting characters this year," Melvin revealed. "There's been some elderly twerking, a lot of Melvin twerking, a lot of dance moves, some crazy acts.
"Homemade outfits this year from people, but I think there's going to be some really amazing talent as well… there's a lot of dancing and people with their own dancers."
The audition rules have been relaxed this year, which means budding performers are allowed to bring along their own backing dancers and musicians: "People have really taken initiative with that," Rochelle said. "We saw a girl that brought two sax players and I think a solo act who brings along dancers.
"Cheryl especially is loving that because she loves the whole performance vibe and she said to one act that she loved the effort they had put in."
Rochelle and Melvin are the new hosts of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.
