The X Factor UK 2015 Judges Officially Revealed: Two new names join the panel for series 12.
Who are The X Factor UK 2015 Judges?
On Tuesday the 16th of June the judging line-up for this years X Factor was finally named, with two brand new names joining the ITV show. Replacing Louis Walsh and Mel B on the panel are Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw and singer Rita Ora. The pair will team up with existing judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
Though Rita Ora has previously appeared on the show as a guest judge during the 2012 auditions, this year sees the 24-year-old take a regular place behind the desk. It’s believed X Factor boss Simon Cowell tried unsuccessfully to sign Rita up for the previous series prior to the ‘Hot Right Now’ star choosing to become a coach on season 4 of The Voice UK. The fact she starred on the rival BBC show only a few months earlier makes her X Factor appointment all the more surprising.
Despite appearing to have a good time alongside fellow coaches Tom Jones, will.i.am and Ricky Wilson, it seems Ora will be leaving The Voice after just the one series. After a strong showing throughout the 2015 competition, Rita was the only coach who failed to get an act into the live grand final – a fact which in her mind may have taken the shine off her time on the BBC One show.
Speaking to ITV about the news, Rita stated: “This is a journey I can’t wait to embark on to find some talented singers. It’s the new generation taking over. Booooom”
The announcement of Nick Grimshaw however, comes as less of a shock, with the BBC Radio 1 presenter having been linked with an X Factor judges role some months in advance. Though credited with an impressive knowledge and understanding of the music industry, series 12 of The X Factor marks the 30-year-old’s first time as a regular talent show judge.
Nick told ITV: “I love X Factor and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I’m hugely excited to be joining the show.”
The decision to replace Louis and Mel with Nick and Rita now brings the judges average age down quite significantly, with Cheryl and Simon now starting to look like the old generation. Along with The X Factor’s new hosts, ITV producers will no doubt be hoping this change in personnel will give the show a more credible image amongst younger viewers, boosting ratings in the process.
