THE X FACTOR RETURNS WITH AN ALL-STAR PANEL....INCLUDING A VERY FAMILIAR FACE!

Legendary judge Sharon Osbourne returns to The X Factor alongside Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh

Dermot O’Leary is back as host

Brand new double auditions for 2013 with return of audition rooms alongside arenas

The nation’s most talked about entertainment show is back with a bang for 2013 with a new addition to the judging panel and brand new double auditions.

Rock royalty Sharon Osbourne makes a triumphant return to the show, joining Take That superstar Gary Barlow, US pop star Nicole Scherzinger and Svengali manager Louis Walsh in the search for the nation’s next big singing sensation. Outspoken and unpredictable Sharon was one of the original X Factor judges from 2004-2007 and has more than 30 years’ experience in the music industry, managing some of the biggest bands in rock.

Award-winning broadcaster and presenter Dermot O’Leary will preside over the action once more offering support, encouragement and a shoulder to cry on to aspiring stars, as well as the important job of keeping the judges in check.

And in the first of an exciting range of new changes for the 10th series of The X Factor, hopefuls will - for the first time ever - have to tackle two sets of auditions. First, they will face the judges eyeball to eyeball in an intimate audition room.

If they receive three or more yeses here they will then have to perform for the judges once more, this time in an arena, to prove they can also impress an audience before securing a coveted place at the next stage in the competition.

Speaking of the new series, Simon Cowell says: "Three words I never thought I'd say.... Welcome back Sharon!"

Speaking of her return Sharon Osbourne says: “I couldn’t be happier about coming back for the 10th anniversary of X factor. I can’t wait to give Gary Barlow a big hug, sit next to the gorgeous Nicole, and of course throw water on dear Louis. Yay!”

Jennifer Lopez, Ellie Goulding, Demi Lovato, Olly Murs and Ashleigh and Pudsey to perform on Britain’s Got Talent!

As the live semi-finals start next week, Britain’s Got Talent today announce some of the stellar guest performers that will take to the stage each night whilst the nervous BGT acts await the voting results.

Confirmed guest performers in the highly coveted slot include multi-talented superstar Jennifer Lopez, who will be making her UK comeback with latest track Live It Up, esteemed British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding performing a medley of her recent releases Explosions and Anything Can Happen, America’s sweetheart Demi Lovato with her new single Heart Attack and pop heartthrob Olly Murs singing his album title track Right Here Right Now. Plus last year’s winners Ashleigh and Pudsey will be making an unmissable appearance.

Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals start on Monday 27th May from 7.30pm-9pm, with the results show at 9.30pm. They are then stripped across the week on Tuesday 28th May, Thursday 30th May, Friday 31st May and Saturday 1st June. Each night will see nine of our final 45 acts perform live in the hope of winning the public vote. The guest performances will take place during the results show, as the votes are counted and the Britain’s Got Talent acts wait to discover which of them will make it through to the final. The act with the highest number of public votes will automatically go through to the live grand final and the two runners-up will then face the judges who will pick their favourite to accompany them.

The live final is on Saturday 8th June, when it will be revealed which act viewers have picked to win a life changing £250,000 and a spot at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.

With more exciting guest performers to be revealed and the wide variety of talent displayed by the Britain’s Got Talent acts, this year’s live shows are shaping up to be the most thrilling yet.

Britain’s Got Talent’s live semi-finals are on Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th, Thursday 30th, Friday 31st May and Saturday 1st June on ITV. The live final is on Saturday 8th June on ITV.

THE BEAUTIES AND THE BRIT…

SIMON COWELL IS OUTNUMBERED BY WOMEN ON NEW “THE X FACTOR” JUDGES' PANEL!

Simon Cowell will be surrounded by women when THE X FACTOR returns for its third season this fall on FOX. Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland and international pop star Paulina Rubio join him and Demi Lovato as judges on the hit singing competition series.

Simon said today, “It’s taken more than a decade, but I’m delighted to finally be on a panel with three girls (I think!). Paulina and Kelly both have great taste and massive experience in the music industry and together with Demi, this is going to be a fun panel. It just feels like the time to do something different.”

“I am very excited to be reuniting with Simon Cowell and THE X FACTOR family,” said Rowland. “It feels great to be able to take this journey here at home in the states!”

“I love THE X FACTOR! I can’t wait to find the next big music star here in America,” added Rubio. “I’m so thrilled to be part of the show as a judge. Simon, be careful what you wish for, let’s see if you are ready to handle me, empieza la fiesta, amigo!”

Although a HUGE star in Latin America, Paulina maybe a surprise choice to some fans, however her impressive musical resume means she has the ideal credentials for a judging role on the show! She is considered to be one of the most influential contemporary Latin artists, has sold more than 20 million records around the world and has released 10 studio albums. Raised in Mexico, she began her professional music career in 1984, as a member of the popular teen pop group, Timbiriche.

Since going solo in 1992, Rubio has created major hits both in English and Spanish and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards in the category of Best Latin Pop Album. Her prominence as an international artist extends to the digital world, as well. Official YouTube/VEVO views of Rubio's videos exceed 87 million. She has more than 1.2 million Facebook “likes” and more than 6.6 million Twitter followers.

FOX have high hopes for Season 3, concentrating on judges chemistry and the talent of the contestants to boost viewers. They hope that Simon's rapport with "his Angels" will be a big hit with audiences.

“We are thrilled that Kelly and Paulina are joining Demi on the panel this season, in what is sure to be a triple threat of talented and successful women against Simon week-to-week,” noted Mike Darnell, President, Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “This is an incredible panel of judges and we can’t wait for fans to see what’s in store for Season Three of THE X FACTOR.”

The X Factor USA judges auditions begin TODAY in Charleston, NC.

In this weeks episode of Britain's Got More Talent, Simon discusses his alternative career path with Stephen Mulhern. And his choice may surprise you as it doesn't involve bad singers, dancing dogs or even One Direction!

As Stephen grabs some time with the Judges at the Judges’ desk he grills Simon about what other job he would like to have done.

Stephen: “If you weren’t in entertainment what would you be doing do you think?”

David can't resist interrupting and adds: “He’s not in entertainment; he just sits there telling people they can’t sing. Anyone could do that!”

Simon reveals: “I would breed racehorses, I would do it full time.”

Having recently bought a racehorse with fellow colleagues Ant & Dec, Simon might be able to get the chance to make his dream come true! The three of them have each bought a quarter of the one-year-old thoroughbred with the fourth partner understood to be another friend.

Dec spoke back in February how Simon was so keen on the idea that he wanted to name the horse afer himself! "We had to name the horse because obviously it wasn't named for racing, so we had a chat with Simon. His first suggestion was 'I think we should call him Simon'."

The trio eventually decided to call the horse 'It's A Yes From Me' and the filly is expected to race this summer.

BRITAIN’S GOT MORE TALENT IS ON SATURDAY AT 8.45PM ON ITV2