Mel B spices up the X Factor

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Mel B Spices Up The X Factor!

Spice Girl Melanie B joins Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh.

Dermot O'Leary is back as host.

The nation's most talked about entertainment show today confirms its brand new judging panel with Spice Girl Melanie B becoming the fourth and final judge.

As part of the biggest selling female group of all time and the cultural phenomenon, which was The Spice Girls, Mel B has notched up a stunning 80 million record sales worldwide, including nine UK No.1s. She also has five prestigious BRIT Awards to her name.

Mel's signing comes after she appeared as a guest judge on The X Factor in 2012, where she lived up to her scary nickname with her straight talking approach.

Talking about joining the panel Mel B says: I'm so excited to be joining The X Factor - I loved being a guest judge back in 2012. I've always thought honesty is the best policy when being a judge and that's what I'm going to bring more of this year - whether it's spotting an incredible singer, giving someone a reality check or debating with Simon over who's got it wrong! Now I can't wait to get started and find some amazing talent.

The X Factor creator, Simon Cowell, says: I am thrilled that Mel B has agreed to be a judge on The X Factor this year. I thought she was fantastic as a guest judge a couple of years ago. She is feisty, opinionated and, I believe, will be a great mentor."

Mel B will join renowned music manager Louis Walsh, who returns for another series. As previously announced, they are joining Simon and pop princess Cheryl Cole, who both make a celebrated return to the show for the first time since 2010.

The judges will be joined by award-winning broadcaster and presenter Dermot O'Leary, who is back to preside over the talent, tears and drama, while providing support to the aspiring stars.

Louis Walsh says, It should be a fun year this year with both Simon and Cheryl returning and I think Mel will keep us all on our toes, she is Scary Spice after all.

Dermot O'Leary says, Mel was great as a guest judge a couple of years ago and she certainly doesn't mince her words. With Mel on the panel, along with Simon, Cheryl and Louis, Ill have my hands full - were going to be in for an exciting year."

Elaine Bedell, ITV's director of comedy and entertainment, says, "Mel and Cheryl have reached the top in two of the biggest girl bands in contemporary music history and theyre fantastic additions to this years panel, alongside Simon and Louis. All our judges are looking forward to finding some amazing vocal talent for X Factor 2014."

Richard Holloway, acting CEO, FremantleMedia UK says,

I'm delighted that Mel B will be completing the judging panel for this year's X Factor. She's feisty and fiery and I'm sure that she'll keep all of the contestants and her fellow judges in check, as well as finding some great talent.

Filming for the new series begins next week with an audition tour taking place in four cities across the UK Manchester, London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Once again hopefuls will have to tackle two sets of audition rounds, starting with the intimate closed rooms in which they find themselves eyeball-to-eyeball in front of the judges. If they impress and get three or more yeses, they must then sing in an arena to prove they can impress a live audience.

Notes to editors:

- The X Factor returns to ITV, ITV2 and itv.com later this year.

- The X Factor is one of the biggest brands in the world and individual versions of the show currently air in 45 countries.

- Stars that have emerged from The X Factor have sold more than 150 million records to date, making the show incomparable in its success versus rival talent shows.

Ends

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/mel-b-spices-x-factor...
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