Simon Cowell has brought three of The X Factor's most loved judges back to join him on the judging panel for the upcoming 13th series of the ITV show. After months of speculation it has been confirmed that Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh will return to TV screens later this year.
Sharon said she was "overjoyed" to be making her return to The X Factor UK, three years after she last acted as a judge in 2013. The 63-year-old had originally appeared on the judging panel from 2004 to 2007, and it appears Simon's two-year-old son Eric may have influenced her decision to return.
Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne are returning to The X Factor
"I'm overjoyed about going back to The X Factor, sitting with Lou, Lou, gorgeous Nicole and naughty Simon. But most of all, I can't wait to meet baby Eric," Sharon said in a statement.
Meanwhile Nicole, who previously served as a judge in 2012 and 2013, said she is "excited" about her return to the show.
The former Pussycat Doll said: "I can't wait to be back in the UK and on the show with the best judges sitting alongside me on the panel. I'm excited about discovering, mentoring and winning with an exciting new act this year. And having had winning contestants in the past, Simon knows I will do it."
Simon Cowell is the only remaining judge from last year's series
Louis Walsh was equally happy to make his return after being absent for the 12th series of the show in 2015. "He'd say otherwise but I knew Simon missed me last year!" Louis said. "I'm delighted to be back on the panel especially beside my two favourite female judges Sharon and Nicole, and I'm looking forward to taking them all back to Dublin this year when we head there for auditions."
The four judges will join returning host Dermot O'Leary to kick off the judges' auditions at Leicester City's King Power Stadium on 10 June.