'I really like working with you three': Simon Cowell hails new X Factor judges Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora as they bring a new lease of life to the panel
He's notoriously tough to win over but the new judges have made light work of it.
As The X Factor returned for a new series on Saturday evening, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora proved they were the perfect additions to the panel, even by Simon Cowell's standards.
The BBC Radio 1 DJ's and the Body On Me hit-maker's judging prowess was hailed by the music mogul who hinted the panel - which was of course completed by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - was his favourite yet in the show's 11-year history.
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The dream team: Simon Cowell hailed his new X Factor judges Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw as they made their debuts on the ITV talent show on Saturday night
As the awesome foursome sat through audition after audition in the debut show, the father-of-one took a moment to praise his fellow panelists.
'I really like working with you three,' he remarked.
Simon, Cheryl, Rita and Nick displayed genuine chemistry and the newbies perfectly complemented the dynamics which in turn gave the show a new lease of life.
A new lease of life: The BBC Radio 1 DJ and the Body on Me hit-maker close friendship perfectly complemented the panel dynamic
Claps all round: Music mogul Simon said he 'really liked working' with the newcomers and returning judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
Getting on famously: Nick provided playful banter throughout, delighting his co-stars and the Wembley Arena crowd with his perfectly-timed wise cracks
Nick provided playful banter throughout, delighting his co-stars and the Wembley Arena crowd with his perfectly-timed wise cracks.
The quartet's blossoming friendships were also evident in the behind-the-scenes footage as they were seen larking around with each other.
One scene showed them walking out to the stage to Girls Aloud's debut hit - Sound Of The Underground - as a blatant dig to Cheryl's past in the girl band.
'It's really fun': Backstage footage showed the new judges larking around with each other and caused Simon to comment, 'it's not been like this before''
Nick showcased his inner diva and strutted along with Rita following suit.
'Oh whatever, whatever,' Cheryl said before joining in, too.
It was footage like that that made music mogul Simon comment: 'It's really fun and it's not been like this before,' hinting the current panel is the best yet.
'You should be really proud': Tom Bleasby was the stand-out, albeit unlikely, star of the first round of auditions
The judges welcomed a fresh batch of singing hopefuls of varying degrees of talent to the stage but it was viral video sensation Tom Bleasby who was the stand-out star of the first episode.
Student Tom left the panel stunned and brought the entire arena to their feet with his powerful version of Adele's Make You Feel My Love.
The 19-year-old from Leeds - who was inspired to audition after the success of a viral video which saw him duet with Jessie J - may have not looked like the average popstar but there was no denying his vocal talents.
'I feel honoured to have been here to hear you sing that,' Nick told him.
'Absolutely incredible, honestly, you should be really proud of yourself,' Cheryl said.
The X Factor returns on Sunday 30 August on ITV at 8pm
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