LOVE LOVE LOVE this panel.

My favourite ever Panel was 2013 with Gary, Sharon, Louis and Nicole.

The latter 3 have such good chemistry and you can see they all get on so well.

2013 is my favourite ever series of the show. I cannot wait to see Mrs O back on the TV

New panel? They've all been on the show at some point. Seeing a clip of Mel B and Geri on America's got Talent too just showed how many people on Simon's payroll get shifted from show to show same old faces same old same old. Would not surprise me in the slightest if Cheryl appears on the next BGT series.

brilliant pannel

Very happy with the panel this year.

Agree, this will entice me to come back to XF after a few years off.

This panel is the best I could think off, with perhaps Kelly Rowland too.

Just glad Chezza has gone, too.

I now literally can't wait to see this panel again. I absolutely love, love, love Nicole!

I'm happy except from Louis. He's going to be so up-his-own-**** because he's been asked back after only 1 year away

I have really miss Nicole and Sharon I just always LOVED I just hope Sharon gets another category instead of the Overs and Nicole gets the groups.

i'll say it again though - I'm really not happy Louis back. He's actually ruined a otherwise perfect panel for me!! I'm not a massive 1D fan but Louis Tomlinson from 1D would have been so much better

The show would have lost any credibility it had left if Louis 1D was on the panel.

Bar Nicole all OAPs and totally out of touch with the target youth pop market, dire.

Great except from Louis. He should have stayed sacked. A young male musician should've been brought in. Craig David (who isn't so young anymore but now relevant) would've been a more credible choice.

So my type of Music is definitely out with this panel then.

Woop woop. ...I'm very happy. My fav panel. Also loved danni back in the day

Simon's only 56 so he's not actually an OAP

Would have been better if Dannii Minogue was there rather than barking-mad Nicole. We have the 'Barking' element already with Sharon on the panel, don't need two crazies!

The problem is young people will want Nicole as a mentor , probably the girls

Simon a reluctant second choice .

Louis and Sharon who will want them apart from cheesy dated boybands and older over the hill dated ballad singers.

There is no prospect as always of these two being allowed anywhere near the girls category

So I don't understand why there are these judges chosen when it's clearely restricted as to what categories they can have

Replace Sharon with Kelly Rowland and it'll be my ideal panel.

Kelly and Nicole would provide powerhouse mentoring, class and a lot of eye candy between them.

I like Nicole and Sharon probably my two fave judges ever, but Cowell and Louis are gnna ruin it.

Great panel,

Nicole will be there to ensure a microphone failure at some point

Louis will be there to pick the young boys that look like a really young version of an old celebrity, but cannot sing for sh!t, only for them to be turned into the next boy band for brainless teenage girls.

Sharon will be there to pour water over Louis for when he annoys her or for when he gets too excited over a boy that can cry his eyes out after a bad performance, but has no talent.

Simon will be there to destroy the winners lives with dodgy cover versions and broken promises,

This is the X Factor 2016, new panel, same Whitney / Mariah . Hudson bollocks. But is just so damn addictive that we will tune in each week and have the typical obsessiveness of certain contestants on DS.

I cannot freaking wait.

Doesn't Sharon swear she'll never be back and badmouth the show and Mr Cowell every time she leaves?

Probably my 4 favourite past judges excluding Dannii and I watched all of her stints in Australia so I'm a bit over her as a judge now, perfect panel for me.

Basically I agree with you.

The only reason I watch the XF is to shout at the television and to call it utter crap.....again and again and again and again.

Then vow to never watch it...........only for next saturday, I feel my index finger hovering over the remote control, knowing exactly what number i'll be choosing.....

But having said all of the above, I will now be tuning in voluntarily (without having to forcé oneself of course..) because my absolute favourite is back again! That is btw - Nicole!

Categories? My guesses:

Simon - Groups
Nicole - Girls
Sharon - Boys
Louis - Overs

Though I would like to see Louis with the girls for once since its the only category he hasn't had.

I love this years panel 😀

It'll be interesting to see the original three back. I don't think those three have started a series together since 2006. I hope Sharon doesn't look as witchy as in 2013. Nicole I could take or leave.

I like having a panel with three music insiders who aren't actual performers.

Agreed. The was the show's original premise - industry "insiders" searching for a new star, not already-stars trying to flog their latest album.