Rita Ora resumes talks to join The X Factor

(Image credit: AP/Press Association Images)

Rita Ora – who was a coach on singing competition The Voice earlier this year – is still considering jumping ship to become a judge on rival show The X Factor.

A few months ago, the ITV show’s hirer and firer Simon Cowell tried to poach the How We Do singer from the BBC1 show, but eventually gave up when discussions fell through.

But now, according to Mirror Online, 24-year-old Rita has resumed talks with Simon because her showbiz pal DJ Nick Grimshaw is poised to sign up to The X Factor which is going through a major shake-up with new presenters and changes to the line-up on the judges’ panel.

An X Factor source said: “Rita was out of the frame a couple of months ago but things have changed and everything has come full circle. The fact Grimmy is now involved makes The X Factor a more exciting proposition for her.ba

“You could say it is the Grimmy factor that is influencing her decision.”

ITV is hoping to reveal the line-up for this year’s series in the next few weeks with the judges due to start work at the beginning of July.

Although Simon and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are understood to be returning to the show, a spokesperson said: “There is speculation over the judging line-up for this year’s series. However, no formal decision has been made yet.”

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