‘The iconic four are back’: Fans delighted as Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger join Simon Cowell on the X Factor panel
Simon has brought back the familiar faces in an effort to lure back viewers
FANS of the X Factor are delighted with the news that Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh are set to return to the judging panel with Simon Cowell.
Simon is hoping that bringing back the old favourites will boost the talent show's ratings, which have slumped in recent years.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw would not be returning to the panel this year.
Meanwhile, Dermot O'Leary will also be returning as the show's host, replacing Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.
Sharon said she was "overjoyed" about her comeback and excited to cuddle Simon's son Eric and was spotted out shopping in LA today after the announcement.
The 63-year-old, who id currently battling marriage woes with her rocker husband Ozzy Osbourne, looked fresh faced when she was snapped in a shoe shop.
She sported a black leather jacket, white shirt, black trousers and a Saint Laurent bag on her visit to the shops.
Nicole shared a snap of the four X Factor chairs with the judges' names on them and wrote: "Can't wait to be back in my second home and part of @TheXFactor family this year, with @SimonCowell @SharonOsbourne and #LouisWalsh! #ImGonnaFindAnotherWinner."
Meanwhile, Louis joked: “He’d say otherwise but I knew Simon missed me last year!"
Fans were as delighted as the judges that they were returning to the talent comp.
Robert wrote: "Looks like @TheXFactor will be a cracker this year! Welcome back @MrsSOsbourne @NicoleScherzy @SimonCowell Louis and @radioleary!"
Charley was also pleased and said: "Yayyy great line-up, I love Louis and Nicole."
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Another user said: "So the #xfactor panel has returned to it's best and @SimonCowell has finally listened to the viewers!!! Welcome back @NicoleScherzy."
Nathan added: "Woooop @NicoleScherzy and @MrsSOsbourne back on #XFactor this year. So happy, roll on August!"
Sam said: "I'm pleased about the X Factor line up... Just shows... Don't mess with what works!! Might actually watch it again."
There was a lot of love for Nicole, who left her role in Cats on Broadway to take on the gig.
Josh wrote: "Nicole Scherzinger is probably my favourite #XFactor judge of all time though, so I'm pleased she's back."
Julia added: "Yaaaaay I'm glad you're back. Now I have a reason to watch it again. Best of luck. #TeamNcole #XFactor."
Maisie added: "Yasss, the iconic four are back".
Naturally, some viewers were unimpressed with Simon bringing back the former judges.
Another user wrote: "Deffo not watching now, can't stand any of them."
Richard said: "The X Factor revamp is out with the old and in with the old panel. Show is dead."
Other fans were disappointed that One Direction star Louis Tomlinson had not joined the panel.
Rumours had been circulating for months that he might appear on the X Factor while One Direction were on their break.
On user wrote: "Pity Louis isn't on the panel, it's needs some youth."
The four-strong group will launch the talent contest's fresh audition rounds on June 10 at Leicester City's King Power Stadium.
Last week Dermot launched the show's new online auditions.
Now budding Leona Lewis' and One Direction-esq hunks can now be start their talent show journey without leaving their home after auditions were launched on Facebook live.
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