'The X Factor' judges merry-go-round: Who will be in the 2013 lineup?

We're right in the heart of silly season in X Factor land. With memories of James Arthur, Rylan Clark and MK1 (remember them!) slowly drifting away, talk of series 10 and this year's judging lineup had become a hot topic for Saturday night TV fans currently stuck in a pre-Voice/Britain's Got Talent Saturday no-man's land with only D-listers in drag on Let's Dance and some bloke from EastEnders ice skating to save us.

So who will be behind the desk on this year's X Factor? Digital Spy takes a look at the judges merry-go-round to try and figure out who is in and who is out.

Gary Barlow


After two years on the panel and not much talent to show for it (Marcus Collins, Christopher Maloney, Cocozza!) many expected Gary Barlow to be jumping off the X Factor funfair in 2013. He's never looked 100% comfortable with the show's balance between entertainment and 'serious' music and there have been rumblings of discontent between Gazza and Lord Cowell for a while.

However, the latest rumour is that Barlow and Mr C have kissed and made up. If that's the case, and if Gary fancies one last crack at winning the series, maybe he could be persuaded to stay on another year. Let's be honest, Cowell and ITV would struggle to find someone to match Barlow's gravitas and popularity with the public to fill the 'head judge' slot.

If Barlow doesn't sign on the dotted line, one man who could potentially fill his boots is....

Robbie Williams


Good old Bobby Williams is a known X Factor fan and he'd bring a more chaotic edge to the panel than his fellow Take That-er. His previous guest appearances on the show have included sweaty, wide-eyed performances, lapdances for Louis Walsh and a bungled duet with Olly Murs. So he'd make for great tabloid fodder.

Whether Cowell and ITV are willing to take a risk on someone so unpredictable on their biggest TV franchise remains to be seen.

Tulisa Contostavlos

One year you're flavour of the month and storming to victory with your Little Muffins. The next you've got Fag Ash Breath, your album's flopped and everyone prefers Nicole Scherzinger.

It's been quite the turnaround for Tulisa who slipped down the X Factor pecking order last year and it now looks like Simon Cowell has politely pushed her off the show's judging merry-go-round.

Mel B


Scary Spice brought some much-needed sizzle to last year's X Factor auditions, trumping her Spice Girl pal/rival Geri with some Cowell-esque withering put-downs and extra snark.

She's shifted from Australian X Factor to America's Got Talent, so she's clearly a popular figure in Cowell Towers, and she's been linked to a judge role on the UK show for donkey's, so don't be surprised to see her jumping on board later this year.

Cheryl Cole

She may be coming back. She probably won't be. Recycle, repeat, repackage. Yawn. Next.

Sharon Osbourne


Part of the original cheeky Botox-filled trio of judges alongside Cowell and Louis Walsh, Shazza remains a loyal friend to the X Factor brand and her menacing no-BS, no-nonsense have been sadly lacking in recent series.

She's supposedly had secret meetings with Cowell about a return to the UK series (she may just have been having a booze up with Sinitta) and it would definitely perk Louis up if she came back. Someone just make sure there's no glasses of water on the desk or Scherzinger could be getting an Osbourne drenching.

Louis Walsh

Will Louis be back? Of course he bloody will.

Nothing is certain in life but death, taxes and Louis Walsh remaining on The X Factor.



Who do you think will be the X Factor judging panel in 2013? Let us know below!