It's been floating around here and there that Dannii Minogue's departure from the show has had a lasting curse on her seat at the judging panel. After she left following her four seasons on the show in 2010, no judge has managed to hold the job for more than two consecutive seasons, with only one even reaching that number in the first place (Nicole in 2012-2013). With Kelly in 2011, followed by Nicole's first stint, Mel B in 2014, and Rita Ora in 2015, could this be a recurring theme?

(Nothing serious, of course, just an observation.)

They're definitely seated by hierarchy. The disposables sit on one end. Where's Sharon and Nicole sitting this series?

Louis in his Normal seat then Sharon then Nicole and then Simon in his normal seat.

Well, seating is another story. Simon's always occupied the head judge seat at the end of the table, with his pet (either Dannii or Cheryl, or this year Nicole) next to him, except for series 8 (Gary Barlow) or series 9-10 (where Nicole Scherzinger got the head judge's seat).

Gary was there for 3 consecutive seasons, or are you just talking about female judges?

Tulisa also stayed on the panel for 2 years, 2011-2012

I'm talking about those in the 4th judge's position, that was created in 2007 and has to date had Dannii Minogue, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Mel B, and Rita Ora. Gary replaced Simon, a different seat on the panel, and Cheryl and Tulisa took the position originally occupied by Sharon Osbourne, the 2nd judge's position.

Yeah but Tulisa and Kelly joined at the same time! So maybe Tulisa was the "fourth judge"?

Tulisa sat in the 'dud' end next to Louis where Dannii used to sit..

To be honest they should of brought Tulisa back - she is way better than Nicole.

I just love the fact that six years later Dannii is still so relevant in the whole X Factor world. Despite the fact I don't think she'll ever come back...

No, but Tulisa was hired to replace Cheryl and Kelly was hired to replace Dannii, as per their contracts. Hence the reason Sharon returned to replace Tulisa in that seat, as that was hers to begin with in the first place. Each judge is contracted to a "seat" on the panel, so while looking for possible replacements to certain judges, it is easy to rule out some past members. For example, when Tulisa left after season 9, the only former judges that could hold that seat were Sharon and Cheryl, as it would have been a mess to rehire a judge like Dannii or Kelly who occupied a different "seat-contract" on the panel.

Also, this has nothing to do with the order in which the judges sit, as sometimes that constantly rotates (seasons 1 and 4-6 in particular).

What the **** are you talking about?

Tulisa was a C*** after her acts were eliminated in her second season, she has no class, a pedantic chav of the worst kind. I think Simon would have booted her off the show had he been there that year.

I couldn't have put it better myself

Sharon and Nicole get on, so I guess that is why they sit together. I remember how different it was when Dannii was there. You could cut the tension with a knife.