Nicole Scherzinger Joins The X Factor

Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger has been confirmed as the fourth judge on ITV‘s the X Factor replacing Kelly Rowland who announced her departure earlier this year.

The Speculation over who will be the fourth judge on the X Factor can finally end and with it (hopefully) all those endless stories about Cheryl Cole and/or Dannii Minogue returning to the hit ITV talent series. Nicole Scherzinger has been confirmed as the fourth judge on the X Factor after much speculation; she replaces Kelly Rowland who quit earlier this year sparking the search to begin.

Scherzinger is no stranger to the X Factor brand having been a judge alongside Simon Cowell on the American version which airs on Fox. The singer was drafted in for the Fox series after Cheryl Cole was removed from the judges panel after just a few days; Scherzinger was originally hired for the American X Factor to co-present alongside Steve Jones. Earlier this year it was announced that Scherzinger and fellow judge Paula Abdul would not be returning for the second series.

Nicole Scherzinger joins returning judges Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos. So far a series of “guest judges”, such as Geri Halliwell, have been present at the auditions.

PRESS RELEASE:

Nicole Scherzinger joins The X Factor as Fourth Judge.  A member of The Pussycat Dolls, the group sold 15 million albums and 37 million singles worldwide making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. After taking a break from the group in December 2010, Nicole released her album in 2011, claiming the number one spot in the UK charts with the single Don’t Hold Your Breath and she also reached the top five with singles Poison and Right There.

“I’m so excited to join the UK X Factor family. It’s where I got my start, so it feels great to come full circle. I can’t wait to see what talent the UK has to offer and to help inspire and bring out the best in these artists.” – Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole was a Guest Judge on The X Factor in 2010 and again this year in London during the current Auditions Tour. She takes up her new role on Monday (18 June) when the Judges Auditions Tour rolls into Newcastle, and she’ll be in Cardiff for the final date of the tour on 25th June.

“Nicole will bring her wealth of experience, both as a solo artist, and as a member of a group, to this year’s Judging panel. We’re delighted that she’ll be joining us for the forthcoming series.” – Peter Fincham, Director of Television, ITV

“Nicole is an absolute star. She’s sold millions of records worldwide and she’s extremely well qualified as a Judge – she was brilliant when she stood in as a Guest Judge two years ago and again this year. We can’t wait to start working with her.” – Richard Holloway, Managing Director, Thames,

“We are delighted to welcome back Nicole to the UK X Factor. Nicole is a global star and proved to be extremely popular with viewers when she guest judged for the UK panel two years ago and it’s great to have her on the team.” – Charles Garland, Chief Executive of Syco Entertainment

Nicole joins Gary Barlow, one of Britain’s most successful singer songwriters and a member of one of the biggest pop groups of all time, Take That; Tulisa who as the lead singer of one of the most successful urban British hip hop groups, N-Dubz, has had eight top 40 hits, album sales of over 1.2 million and topped the charts with her debut solo single earlier this year; and renowned music manager Louis Walsh who masterminded the careers of the multi-million selling pop groups Boyzone and Westlife; on the panel for 2012.

The series returns to ITV1, ITV2 and itv.com later in the summer, 2012 The X Factor was the most watched show in 2011 and was named Best Talent Show at the National TV Awards in January.