LOOK WHO’S BACK!
THE X Factor has kicked off its latest hunt for new and fresh talent – by turning to some old and familiar faces.
Judges Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne have all returned to the judging panel, along with Simon Cowell.
They turned out in force on Friday as auditions kicked off at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, to the delight of cheering crowds and nervous aspiring stars.
Their faces won’t be the only things fans recognise as the show returns to an older format in a bid to boost ratings.
While previous seasons have seen the judges hold auditions in front of a live audience, this season will see the show return to the old approach as singing hopefuls perform before the four judges in a room.
Simon and Louis both sported white shirts on Friday, while Nicole stole the limelight on the red carpet in a scarlet trouser suit.
The former Pussycat Doll put a futuristic spin on her androgynous two-piece, which boasted a slightly flared pin-stripe pant and slightly over-sized blazer, by layering a metallic top beneath it.
Sharon, too, wore a suit, but the 63-year-old’s ensemble was less dramatic in black. The wife of Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne, she layered a white top with a shimmering sheer overlay beneath her blazer.
With filming now under way, The X Factor will return to TV3 and UTV Ireland later this year for its 13th series.
It’s hoped the return of tried-and-tested faces on the X Factor judging panel will bring back the success of the show’s glory years, which produced stars such as Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke.
Co. Mayo native Louis, 63, quit the show ahead of the 12th series in 2015 but looked delighted to be back, grinning broadly from his position on the line-up.
He was on the original judging panel when the show debuted in 2004, along with Cowell and Osbourne. The veteran trio will be hoping that they can conjure up some of their old chemistry over the coming months.