The girls are back in town! Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger WILL return to The X Factor with Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell as the new panel is confirmed

PUBLISHED: 09:40, 1 June 2016 | UPDATED: 10:10, 1 June 2016

Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger have been confirmed as the judges joining Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell on The X Factor judging panel following months of speculation.

The new line-up marks the return of all four judges, who have all acted as winning mentors during their varying times on the panel.

Dermot O'Leary will also reprise his job as presenter after Caroline Flack and Olly Murs took over last year.

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Confirmed: Following months of speculation Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger have been confirmed as the judges joining Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell on The X Factor judging panel. Dermot O'Leary will also be returning as presenter

Last year's judges Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl all opted not to return to the show, making the only remaining figure Simon, prompting a complete reshuffle.

With the exception of Nicole - who joined in 2012 - the new panel includes the original judges from the first season in 2004, which was then hosted by Kate Thornton.

Louis is the longest-serving member of the panel, who sat on the judging panel for 11 series before a break last year and said he cannot wait to return.

Here come the boys! Veteran judge Louis Walsh previously announced his return to the show and revealed last month he would be back on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell

Speaking to the Press Association, Louis quipped: 'He'd say otherwise but I knew Simon missed me last year!

'I'm delighted to be back on the panel, especially beside my two favourite female judges Sharon and Nicole, and I'm looking forward to taking them all back to Dublin this year when we head there for auditions.'

Meanwhile, Sharon - who appeared on the panel between 2004 and 2007 before returning in 2013 - said the thing she is most looking forward to is meeting Cowell's baby son Eric.

She said: 'I'm overjoyed about going back to The X Factor, sitting with Lou, gorgeous Nicole and naughty Simon. But most of all, I can't wait to meet baby Eric.'

Iconic: Sharon Osbourne has been confirmed to return to the X Factor after she won over the audience with her outrageous antics over the first three seasons. She also returned in season ten

Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger acted as judge in 2012 - when her contestant James Arthur won - and again in 2013.

The starlet - who dropped out of her role as Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats for the job - explained: 'I can't wait to be back in the UK and on the show with the best judges sitting alongside me on the panel.

'I'm excited about discovering, mentoring and winning with an exciting new act this year. And having had winning contestants in the past, Simon knows I will do it.'

Moving on: Hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs left the show after one series, marking the return of verteran X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary

Back for good: Dermot O'Leary will return as presenter

Nicole was criticised for her decision to leave the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber who said he was 'furious' with the singer for letting him down.

Talking to Anne McElvoy, from The Economist, he said: 'A week before we were due to go into rehearsals with Cats, which luckily I'm not producing I have to say, she calls me and says she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to it.

'She's crazy, but the American producers took a view of, "Oh fine, we'll get someone else." She's actually not that well known in America. She's better known here.

'I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically brilliant girl and I went out on a limb to get her at the Palladium and now I look like an absolute twot with them all.'

He added: 'Nevermind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award.'

Gone: The only remaining member of last year's X Factor team is show creator Simon. (L-R) Olly Murs, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Nick Grimshaw, Caroline Flack and Rita Ora

The girls are back in town: Sharon

But Nicole hit back at his comments and told the MailOnline: 'I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalized.

'I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it work this time around.

'I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.'

The originals: The first series of The X Factor began in 2004 with Simon, Louis and Sharon on the judging panel and Kate Thornton as presenter. No changes were made to the line-up for the first three series

The first series of The X Factor began in 2004 with Simon, Louis and Sharon on the judging panel and Kate Thornton as presenter.

Whilst no changes were made to the line-up for the first three series, since 2007 Dannii Minogue; Cheryl; Gary Barlow; Kelly Rowland; Tulisa; Nicole Scherzinger; Mel B; Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora have all acted as judges on the show.

Since Dermot took over as presenter in season four, only Caroline Flack and Olly Murs have taken on the role, but were widely slammed by viewers.

Recently speaking to the Daily Mirror about the 2015 team, show creator Simon said of Caroline, Olly, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl: 'The fans didn't like last year's panel, you can't ignore them.'

The X Factor: A changing panel

The hit ITV show has seen a constantly changing panel since its inauguration in 2004

Simon Cowell: As the show's founder, the music mogul was a perma-fixture on the panel from 2004 to 2010 before taking a break to explore his American ventures before returning to the show in 2014.

Louis Walsh: The Irish music manager was a loyal addition to the panel for 11 years, from 2004 to 2014, before he opted to leave before the show was given its youthful facelift.

Sharon Osbourne: The acid-tongued queen of rock was a fiery addition to the panel from the very beginning up until 2007 before a brief return in 2013.

Dannii Minogue: The younger sister of pop icon Kylie sat in the hot seat from 2007 to 2010 yet she left after her stint amid rumours she became embroiled in a heated behind the scenes feud with co-judge Sharon.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini: The former Girls Aloud star has had the most publicised stint on The X Factor after a wildly successful period on the judging panel from 2008 to 2010, an ill-fated move to the US version of the show kicked off a feud between formerly good pal Simon. The pair reunited and Cheryl returned to the panel in 2014.

Gary Barlow: The Take That singer took over the role from Simon as the show's Mr Nasty when he picked up a place on the panel, which he occupied from 2011 to 2013, when the big boss returned to the programme.

Tulisa Contostavlos: N-Dubz stunner Tulisa enjoyed a two-series long stay on The X Factor between 2011 to 2012 in which she mentored eventual winners Little Mix to victory - making them the first and only group to ever win the show.

Kelly Rowland: The Destiny's Child legend seized success on the talent show on both sides of the pond as she starred in the thirteenth series of the show in 2011 as well as featuring on the third and final season of The X Factor USA.

Nicole Scherzinger: Another American import, Nicole went from the first season of the US version of the show before starring in two season of the UK show between 2012 and 2013.

Mel B: Adding a touch of Spice to the panel, Mel B joined in 2014 for one season. Initially starring as a stand-in for Nicole Scherzinger during a round of auditions in Manchester in 2012, she went on to secure a permanant place on the panel.

Rita Ora: The Hot Right Now hitmaker was secured at the same time as Nick Grimshaw to help give the show an edgier feel, although ratings suffered and the programme was frequently panned - leaving the new additions under questioning. Rita won 2015 show with her 17-year-old protege Louisa Johnson.

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Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger WILL return to The X Factor with Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell

The girls are back in town! Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger WILL return to The X Factor with Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell as the new panel is confirmed

The X Factor: A changing panel