Rylan Clark confirmed as new host for The Xtra Factor

Well, this is going to be interesting...

Congratulations are in order for Rylan Clark-Neal, who is returning to The X Factor as the co-host of The Xtra Factor with Matt Edmonson.

The presenter announced he will be hosting the next series with the Radio 1 host on This Morning, saying: 'I'm honoured and over the moon. I'm going back to The Xtra Factor with Matt Edmonson. We are literally over the moon.' 'We did our promo shoot. This has been going on for years. The last couple of months there have been talks and chats.' 'I'm not leaving Big Brother, I'm not leaving here [This Morning], I'm just going to be working like a dog', he continued.

Rylan will be a busy man. He is currently hosting the latest series of Big Brother and is soon to stepping up as the main host of This Morning with husband Dan for a one-off special. However, despite his hectic schedule, Rylan reassured viewers that he won't be leaving either show any time soon.

Last year's hosts Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom announced they would be leaving The Xtra Factor on Wednesday in a speech mirroring that of David Cameron resigning as Prime Minister.

In a twist of fate, Matt has actually held the role before - in 2011, he'd been given the gig of Xtra Factor host alongside Caroline Flack, but was switched out for Olly Murs at the last minute.

Not only this, but Matt only found out about that change on the way to his first recording.

'Got my bag packed, train tickets booked to Birmingham, copy of Simon's autobiography! Can't wait!... What's that you say? OLLY MURS?!??!?!' he tweeted at the time, although he did later go on to wish both Olly and Caroline 'congrats'.

If reports are to be believed, it's not just Matt that's newly joining the team - singer Mel B could also be back on our screens as an X Factor judge this season.

The popular former Spice Girl appeared on series 11 back in 2014 and was a hit with fans of the show. According to The Sun she's flying into London this week to cover Nicole Scherzinger's role while the Pussycat Dolls' star attends a work commitment elsewhere.

The Sun have reported that a source told them, 'Mel's coming in as a guest judge to cover Nicole because she isn't able to make the first day of filming.

'This is a diary clash that Nicole had booked in before she agreed to do X Factor and couldn't change.'

'Mel has been working with Simon as a judge on America's Got Talent so was available to cover.

'He also knows she'll come in and take no prisoners so is the perfect temporary replacement for the day.'

This news came just a couple of weeks after it was revealed that former X Factor star George Shelley from Union J could be presenting an aspect of the hit show, too!

George, who appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, has recently split from his group Union J, so could this be the new career he's looking for? The Sun reported that a source told them his role would be on the Xtra Factor, and would be something along the lines of 'social media correspondent'.

The source said: 'George was a huge hit when he was in the jungle and he has proved to be a capable host on Capital FM.

'With an ageing judging panel this year, producers hope George can keep younger viewers engaged.'

If he gets the job he'd join Matt, potentially alongside Rylan Clark-Neal, who is also rumoured to be lined up to present the show.

The X Factor judges

In other news, the full-time The X Factor judges for 2016 have been confirmed, and it looks like it's going to be a pretty exciting year!

Joining Simon Cowell behind the panel will be old-time favourites Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne as well as fiery Nicole Scherzinger. The news was officially announced on The X Factor's Twitter account.

They posted the announcement by sharing a picture of the new judging chairs along with the caption, 'Welcome back @MrsSOsbourne, @NicoleScherzy & Louis Walsh who join @SimonCowell on this year's judging panel.'

[twitter]

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However, it would seem that not everyone is as happy as they might have liked with the revelation. One Twitter user Adam, said: 'massive mistake. Fake laugh, fake tantrums, dated song choices. This show is going backwards.' While another follower Jodie replied, 'exactly that. Worst decision ever.'

Nicole is certainly not letting the comments getting down, expressing her plans to win the show! She said: '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.'

With so many departures announced from The X Factor celebrity line-up, it was about time for good news!

Louis Walsh was the first judge to make it official after his year away from the show thanks to a big old million pound contract, if reports are to be believed.

The Mirror reported that a source told them part of the deal for Louis coming back was also to host auditions in Ireland again, after the show stopped looking for talent on the emerald isle six years ago.

A source said: 'Simon knows he had to make amends for dropping him last series, which he has previously admitted was a mistake. So it was the least he could do to make Louis happy this season.

'Louis is the first judge to officially sign up.'

'He didn't even hesitate to sign up, but he's really pleased they will be returning to Ireland. He thinks the Irish talent will be a boost to the show, and that they have been missing out the past few years.'

Louis, who was widely reported to have been 'sacked' from The X Factor judging line up in 2015, refuted the claims saying that the break came after he wanted to give more attention to his music management career. But it looks like there were no hard feelings.

Nicole, who appeared on the panel in 2012 and 2013, had a fun on-screen relationship with Sharon - with the pair always getting up to mischief by ganging up on the boys - so we certainly can't wait to see them back together again.

The former Pussycat Doll was popular with contestants and viewers alike and was supposedly given the job after have a great reception from fan's of the show, during a guest appearances back in 2010.

But her part in the hit singing contest could also have been down to her previous experience, as she actually judged on the US version of the reality programme before being offered her spot on the UK team.

In 2012 Nicole famously mentored the 'boys' category and won the show with her contestant James Arthur coming out on top.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Rosie Conroy
Food Writer

Rosie is an experienced food and drinks journalist who has spent over a decade writing about restaurants, cookery, and foodie products. Previously Content Editor at Goodto.com and Digital Food Editor on Woman&Home, Rosie is well used to covering everything from food news through to taste tests. Now, as well as heading up the team at SquareMeal - the UK's leading guide to restaurants and bars - she also runs a wedding floristry business in Scotland called Lavender and Rose.