Nicole Scherzinger CONFIRMED As New X Factor Judge

The X Factor UK judging panel is now complete following the confirmation that Nicole Scherzinger will join Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh as a judge on the X Factor 2012.

Speculation surrounding who would be replacing Kelly Rowland on the panel has been rife with guest judges Rita Ora and Leona Lewis being named as the frontrunners. However it appears as though Simon Cowell and the show's bosses believe Nicole, who was a guest judge on the show in 2010 and earlier this year, is the one who has the X Factor.

The star, who was a judge on the first season of the X Factor USA alongside Simon, Paula Abdul, and L.A. Reid, will take on her new role when she re-joins the judges in Newcastle for the auditions.

Revealing how "excited" she is with her new role, Nicole, who has reportedly been offered £750,000 for the role, said: "I’m so excited to join the UK X Factor family. It's where I got my start, so it feels great to come full circle. I can’t wait to see what talent the UK has to offer and to help inspire and bring out the best in these artists.”

Director of Television at ITV, Peter Fincham added: "Nicole will bring her wealth of experience, both as a solo artist, and as a member of a group, to this year's Judging panel. We're delighted that she'll be joining us for the forthcoming series.”

Expressing his delight at having Nicole permanently on the panel, Charles Garland, Chief Executive of Syco Entertainment said: “We are delighted to welcome back Nicole to the UK X Factor. Nicole is a global star and proved to be extremely popular with viewers when she guest judged for the UK panel two years ago and it’s great to have her on the team.”

We can't wait to see Nicole on the panel later this year!

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