The X Factor: Did Simon Cowell just confirm Sharon Osbourne's return to the judging panel?
THERE has been a lot of speculation regarding the judging panel for this year's X factor but it seems Simon Cowell has just confirmed Sharon Osbourne's return to the show.
Last year's judges Rita Ora, Cheryl and Nick Grimshaw all confirmed they weren’t continuing on the singing competition, leaving three seats on the panel to be filled.
And it seems one of those will be filled by original judge Sharon Osbourne.
Speaking to The Sun, Simon revealed he and the 63-year-old are working together again.
He confirmed: "I think she and I are going to work on a show together in the UK.
"We mainly have a love relationship. It is always back to love."
It comes after it was reported judge Louis Walsh was returning to the ITV show for "just shy of a million" after signing his contract.
Sources told the Mirror: "The ink is just drying on Louis' contract, as he put pen to paper this week."
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They added: "Louis is the first judge to officially sign up. He is expecting to return with Nicole and Sharon, but their contracts have not been signed yet."
Nicole Scherzinger is also reportedly returning to the singing competition after Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed she had pulled out of her stint on the Broadway musical Cats to join the ITV series.
Speaking on Economist Radio, the 68-year-old said: "A week before we were due to go into rehearsals with Cats, which luckily I’m not producing I have to say, she calls me and says she’s decided to do X Factor."
Following these reports an X Factor spokesperson said: "Discussions regarding this year's panel are still ongoing and details are yet to be confirmed."
Express.co.uk has contacted a representative regarding these reports.