X Factor 2014 Judges: Full Line Up Confirmed as Mel B Joins the Panel

Mel B - Photo by Eva Rinaldi, from Sydney, Australia (Sourced Via Wikimedia Commons)

Mel B – Photo by Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia (Sourced Via Wikimedia Commons)

Completing the X Factor 2014 judges line up, ITV today officially confirmed the fourth member of the panel will be ex-Spice Girl, Mel B. Joining Melanie will be Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole, who both return after a few years away, and the only surviving judge from 2013, Louis Walsh.

It’s all change this year for the X Factor judges lineup, with Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne all leaving the show. Attempting to restore the series to its former glory, Simon Cowell returns to the X Factor UK after three years working on the American version of the show. It was announced earlier this year that the Fox television network had cancelled the X Factor USA, after airing for just three seasons.

Speaking about her appointment to the panel, the 39-year-old told ITV: “I’m so excited to be joining The X Factor – I loved being a guest judge back in 2012. I’ve always thought honesty is the best policy when being a judge and that’s what I’m going to bring more of this year – whether it’s spotting an incredible singer, giving someone a reality check or debating with Simon over who’s got it wrong! Now I can’t wait to get started and find some amazing talent.”

Going by Scary Spice’s brief stint as a guest judge during the 2012 arena auditions, viewers and contestants should expect some straight talking critiques, with little attempt to sugar coat any negative opinions. It’ll be interesting to see how Melanie’s strong personality fits in alongside Simon and Cheryl’s.

Commenting on Mel B joining The X Factor 2014, Cowell stated: “I am thrilled that Mel B has agreed to be a judge on The X Factor this year. I thought she was fantastic as a guest judge a couple of years ago. She is feisty, opinionated and, I believe, will be a great mentor.”

Though many British viewers may not realize it, Melanie Brown is actually quite the seasoned pro when it comes to the business of talent show judging. As well as having appeared on the panel during the 2012 X Factor UK arena auditions, Scary has also been a regular judge on the Australian X Factor and is currently starring on the America’s Got Talent panel.