X Factor confirm Sharon Osbourne to return to judging panel

This years X Factor judging panel will see the return of Sharon Osbourne.

ITV confirmed this year’s panel will also feature Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh.

Osbourne, who appeared on the show’s first four series between 2004 and 2007, has been reinstated by Simon Cowell and will replace Tulisa Contostavlos, who confirmed that she was leaving the judging panel yesterday.

Dermot O’Leary will also return to host the 10th run of the musical talent show.

Speaking about the changes, Cowell joked: “Three words I never thought I’d say… welcome back Sharon!”

The 2013 will have a new look in the early stages with the introduction of Double Auditions.

Initially, contestants will have to go “eyeball to eyeball” with the judges in an intimate audition room. It will be the first time audition rooms have been used on the show since series 5.

If the acts pass the first audition they will then have to perform at an arena to prove that they have what it takes for Boot Camp and the Live Shows.

Take That star Barlow returns to the show for the third time and said that he believes the new series will be the “best yet”.

“To have a winner like James Arthur last year was a big game changer.

“I really hope that his authenticity and credibility will attract acts of a similar talent this series and I’m very excited about that,” said Barlow.

Last year’s winning judge Nicole Scherzinger said that she couldn’t wait to return to her “second home” in the UK, claiming that last year’s series “exceeded all my expectations”.

The judges’ auditions will start on June 4 in Glasgow before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff. This will be followed by the second stage of judges’ arena auditions in July.