X Factor: Nicole Scherzinger latest guest judge

X Factor: Nicole Scherzinger latest guest judge
X Factor: Nicole Scherzinger latest guest judge (Image credit: Ken McKay)

Nicole Scherzinger is to return as the latest guest judge for The X Factor auditions. The former Pussycat Dolls singer will join the panel for the final London heat at the O2 Arena tomorrow. Nicole previously appeared on the panel in 2010 when she stood in for then judges Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue. She was also a judge on the first series of US X Factor, once again stepping in after Cheryl's departure. The singer and Men In Black 3 actress said of her return to the panel: "I'm super excited to be back in London for The X Factor. "Last time I was here we found One Direction and I can't wait to find more unique and interesting talent here in the UK." Nicole joins a succession of guest judges on the series this year until a permanent fourth judge is found to sit alongside Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh. Yesterday, chart-topping star Rita Ora impressed show bosses and the audience when she featured on the panel, Tulisa Contostavlos tweeted that she was "glad to have @RitaOra joining us today" and told the Daily Star: "Rita is great for the panel. Despite only breaking the commercial scene recently, Rita has been in the industry for years and knows what she is talking about." Rita, who wore a white mini-dress and bling-tastic jewellery for the big day, tweeted her excitement about being a guest judge. She wrote: "I'm here... I can't breathe! X Factor, I'm just like you, remember that. I've just started too, I'm here to help!" Show insiders say it is looking increasingly unlikely that another guest judge, Geri Halliwell, will be given the role full time, although producers have still to make up their minds. Past X Factor winner Leona Lewis was joining the panel again this afternoon after first sitting in at the weekend.

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.