'CONFIRMED':

Judging panel: Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh.

Via Daily Mail..

Sounds like a good lineup! It's going to be fun if true!! But in a natural way like BGT's panel.

ugh i cant stand sharon......

Confirmed barely 24 hours after new broke that Rita Ora had "quit".

Hmm!!!

So not exciting - anti climatic news headline - like it wasn't obvious

If I'm an XF contestant, I'd be praying not to be in Sharon's category.

Her personal life is in tatters and she'll be perpetually tired and jet-lagged. Not exactly what I'd be looking for in a mentor.

Pensioner panel can't wait

not really sure it matters

what helpful advice is she going to be able to offer an XF contestant anyway ?

all the real guidance and mentoring is done behind the scenes and i doubt any of the panel bar cowell have too much input. we saw last year in the VTs its the producers that sit down with the contestants to talk about song choices, its the vocal coaches and choreographers that spend time with the contestants. the judges turn up for a little VT with the contestants every week just to make it look like they are "mentors".

does anyone know who was the last recording artist osborne worked with outside of XF ?

Ugh Nicole's back which means more food puns that have nothing to with the performances.

Due to "scheduling conflicts" of course. Translated: she got her arse booted.

I must be the only one who would rather a million Sharons to ONE NICOLE! Can't stand her as a judge it's always got to be all eyes on her!!!

i really think they should have got someone else over Sharon. She was hardly inspiring the last time she returned. This is clearly just a desperate attempt to relive the glory years, but they are all older now ! Mel B would have been a better choice would be interesting to see her and nicole together.

Ooh that sounds like the ideal line up to me!.........I am not a great fan of the xfactor but with those four judges I just might tune in............

ps!.... I thought Louis had just been sacked?.... that must have been just publicity then eh!......

Yes Nicole!
Is this REALLY confirmed?

if true I would like this panel, but I will wait till its under a CONFIRMED headline on something like tellymix before I believe it

How can it be pensioner panel if Nicole is one of the judges??

I'll be so excited if Nicole is definitely returning, though as yet, I'll just patiently wait until DS has it on their home page or similar as just in case it's yet another publicity stunt, and what happened to her contract with Cats??

Although I really don't believe at this stage that anyone actually believes they "mentor" their acts..........at most, five minutes for the camera and that's that I reckon.

If they were real mentors, they'd have to know a great deal more about the technicalities of singing etc, and so forth, and I think only Nicole has any real true experience of that!

Shouldn't really say confirmed in the thread title as it's not confirmed

If this is the correct panel, I WILL be watching this year!

I didn't realise someone at 37 years of age is considered a "pensioner".

I wouldn't even consider 56 years old Simon as a pensioner, 63 years old Sharon and Louis also have a couple of years before they actually qualify

I am disappointed

Simon Cowell, - far too old for target audience, / can't sing.
Sharon Osbourne, far too old for target audience, / can't sing
Nicole Scherzinger, - actually can do it.
Louis Walsh. far too old for target audience, / can't sing

Terrible line up, look out for less than four million ratings.

The other 2015 judges and presenters made a sound choice leaving the rapidly sinking ship.

I said all along that the 2013 series' sole purpose was to ensure Sharon won. It was the main reason for her returning for "one final series". It just so happened that Sam Bailey was there that year. In retrospect, the producers probably thought Sam would be popular with the public but didn't fit the script when she had previously auditioned. A case of "we'll keep your details on file".

The definition of "final" has been wasted.

That said, it would be remarkable if this years winner actually goes on to have any success post show. I'm unsure if even Louisa will benefit after last years shambles.

This thread is ageist, older people can offer experience.

The can also offer westlife, boyzone, Celine Dion , Whitney Houston tracks etc for their acts

How on earth will they sell this panel