Manchester’s very own Nick Grimshaw has been confirmed as the newest celebrity to join the star studded judging panel on the X Factor.
Replacing loyal set fixture Louis Walsh, who left the show to focus on his long career in music management, the public will be get to see the Oldham born presenter help search for the nation’s next star.
In her latest round of musical chairs, fellow X Factor rookie Rita Ora will also be taking the ropes from former Spice Girl Mel B, just months after the Black Widow singer’s one series stint on rival show The Voice.
X Factor boss Simon Cowell confirmed the news today on Twitter, saying: “The best kept secret in TV is out!! But i am really happy with the new judging line up for X Factor this year.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Some fans took the news of the judging panel reshuffle well, welcoming the new faces to the line up.
Nick Grimshaw is doing X factor…cool
— Paul (@Hellopaul_) June 16, 2015
Loving the X Factor panel line up with Nick Grimshaw
— Chrysti Read (@chrystiread) June 16, 2015
I can see Nick Grimshaw being a good laugh on X Factor!
— Michael Brown (@michlbrwn) June 16, 2015
I may have to start watching xfactor again if @grimmers and @RitaOra are judges
— georginaplant (@georginaplant) June 16, 2015
I’m so happy @grimmers is on X Factor
— nicola. (@wingwahh) June 16, 2015
And some… not so much.
I wouldn’t leave Nick Grimshaw in charge of a fucking potato.
— Tony Tulloh (@ArtLessOrdinary) June 16, 2015
Nick Grimshaw: “I can’t wait for Judges’ Houses in Oldham.” Come back, Louis Walsh. All is forgiven.
— Adam Postans (@couchpotatoadam) June 16, 2015
Nick Grimshaw & Rita Ora. #BrokenBritain
— Rubber Knob™ (@Jewtree) June 16, 2015
@SimonCowell I’d rather eat my own shit than watch Nick grimshaw.
— Kate Richards (@kater1984) June 16, 2015
the only thing worse than the x factor is the x factor with nick grimshaw.
— $arah (@wichallica) June 16, 2015
I’d rather get wanked off by Louis Walsh than put up with seeing Nick Grimshaw on my tele every Saturday for months
— Stubbs (@Stubbs_86) June 16, 2015
Known as BBC Radio 1’s breakfast show host, many X Factor fans are concerned about the validity of the 30-year-old’s talent judging credentials.
Back in May, the station’s audience had dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, with a record low for the DJ who raked in 5.5million listeners, his lowest since succeeding Leeds presenter Chris Moyles three years ago, according to official Rajar statistics.
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell will be returning to their seats in a 12th attempt to find the show’s next winner.
This year’s arena auditions – which will be the contestants’ first opportunity to perform in front of the star-studded panel – begin in Manchester on July 6.
Image courtesy of British Fashion Council via YouTube, with thanks.
