Tensions are rising between CherLy Cole, Louis Walsh and Mel B on the X Factor judging panel and it looks like the master puppeteer Simon Cowell is behind it all.
Niamh Geaney reports.
We were all pretty shocked when Xtra Factor presenter Caroline Flack announced that she was leaving the show.
Caroline said it was just time to “pass on the baton” to another presenter, in this case, radio host Sarah-Jane Crawford.
But what she failed to mention was that she had her eye on another massive TV gig – Strictly Come Dancing!
Caroline is a big fan of the show, and has reportedly been approached by BBC bosses to be the new presenter for the next series.
Caroline knows it could be her next big step and it would be an extra boost to beat her ex-boss Simon Cowell in the ratings!
While nothing has been set in stone yet, Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole revealed he’d love to see her on the show.
“She’d be great, definitely. That would be amazing,” the 38-year-old dancer said.
Interesting move Caroline!
The X Factor filming kicked off today, and so did its panel. Two judges have refused to sit beside each other using the remaining panel as mediators. Can they sort their differences?
Niamh Geaney reports.
When Simon Cowell tweeted that Nicole Scherzinger would not be joining him for the new season of the X Factor, it seemed as if the singer had decided to quit the show to focus on her music career.
But now the lady herself has spoken out… and it seems as if she was actually never invited back at all!
Nicole said, “I haven’t heard from Simon. He made his choice, so I’m just going to support everybody.”
Simon is said to have had no choice but to get rid of Nicole, as he didn’t think she and Cheryl Cole would get on!
The pop stars seemed to have gotten off on the wrong foot in 2010 when Nicole was performing on the show.
Nicole apparently sang Cheryl’s Promise This to her several times backstage, leading the former Girls Aloud singer to write, “I swear to God the woman sang the whole song, to my face. It was just so awkward, and every time I stood next to her she started singing it again.”
Nicole later responded saying, “What I read didn’t seem like it was written to make me look very well. But I never know what to believe. I’d like to give her the benefit of the doubt and hope that she would only have spoken highly of me because I’ve not spoken poorly of her.”
Maybe Simon has a point then!
Speculation started a few weeks ago that Simon was planning to fire the 2012 X Factor winner, James Arthur.
But it seems James beat him to it, as he announced this evening that he was leaving Syco Music for good.
“Just to clear things up – I am no longer with Syco. I would like to thank all at the label for making a great record with me. I now have to move on and do something different – the future is bright! #LOVE”
We’re not too surprised by this announcement as things have been tense between Simon and James for a while.
But this is the second X Factor winner to leave Simon’s label, as Leona Lewis announced a few weeks ago that she was also moving on from Syco.
According to reports, Simon was planning on dropping the singer after controversial lyrics, including, “I am going to blow your family up like I am a terrorist” appeared in some of his new material.
When James went on a Twitter rant in March, Simon said someone should have told him to “shut up and just put the records out”.
Well it looks like Simon doesn’t have to worry about James anymore.
X Factor winner, Leona Lewis has split from Simon Cowell’s record label Syco, despite being with them since her win in 2006.
Leona revealed on Twitter this evening that she has decided to leave Syco and join Universal Island Records instead.
However Simon seems ok with the move, even tweeting his congratulations to Leona.
“Congratulations Leona. We had 7 great years together and now wish you all the best for the future. You put X Factor on the map. X”
But Leona didn’t respond to Simon’s message and instead tweeted about her excitement about working with Universal Island Records.
“So happy to finally be able to share the amazing news that I have joined the @islandrecordsuk family! Excited for this next chapter…”
Leona revealed more about her shock move in a statement.
“After seven incredible years at Sony I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to sign to perhaps the most iconic label of all, Island Records. To me Island has always been a label where artists can really flourish and are encouraged to express themselves.”
Hmmm, even though Simon seems ok with Leona’s move, we wonder what caused Leona to split from Syco in the first place?
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After months of speculation, Louis Walsh has finally confirmed that he will be returning to this year’s X Factor.
Louis revealed yesterday that he signed up for this series of the show, along with Cheryl Cole and the show’s creator, Simon Cowell.
This will make Louis the only judge to have stared in all 11 series of the The X Factor since it began in 2003.
Louis revealed that he always knew he was going to be a part of the show, but he only signed the contract for this season recently.
“I knew I was doing the show but I just signed the deal and I’m very happy with it. At my age you have to keep working!”
While everyone is still wondering who the fourth judge is going to be, Louis believes that the spot is going to be taken by Scary Spice, Mel B.
“I think it could be Mel B from the Spice Girls – I love her and she’s quite mad. She also did both the American version and the Australian versions of X Factor. But people are also mentioning Alesha (Dixon) and Rita Ora as well.”
While Louis might not be everyone’s favourite, we’re glad he’s returning to the reality show, as we just couldn’t imagine X Factor without him.
The speculation surrounding The X Factor 2014 judging panel has gone into overdrive, as its been revealed that Louis Walsh is out and Jake Shears is in.
Who is Jake Shears you might ask? Well, he’s the lead singer of hit American band, The Scissor Sisters.
It seems that ITV bosses want a complete revamp of the talent show and the Irish judge has become a causality as a result.
Jake has spoken previously of how he would love to be a mentor on the hit show: “I think I’d have a good time. I’d definitely be enthusiastic. I think it’s a really wonderful thing.”
Simon Cowell has been doing is best to keep Louis on the show, but it looks he’s fighting a losing battle.
“ITV aren’t sure about Louis and I think it may be time for a change. Jake really impressed when he was a guest mentor on The Voice, but Louis is very much Simon’s man, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
We just can’t imagine the show without Louis.
SHEmazing! TV offers you your daily 90 Second Update rounding up the showbiz news!
Today’s highlights include what X-Factor bosses really think of Louis, more on the upcoming Simpson’s death & find out which iconic singer might be hitting the big screen.
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The fourth X Factor Judge has been finally revealed and it looks like, Scary Spice will be the one sitting at the end of that famous panel.
Apparently producers, including Simon, are pulling out all the stops to ensure that they get Mel B on the show.
A source revealed that Simon may have even blown the budget for the show, trying to convince Mel to become a judge. But it seems he may have succeeded, as she is apparently moments away from signing on the dotted line.
If Mel agrees to do the show she will be sitting alongside, Louis, Cheryl and of course the music mogul himself, Simon Cowell.
Could Laura Whitmore and Rylan Clark be the next Xtra Factor presenters?
