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TheThe judges have landed:landed: The panel before TulisaTulisa ContostavlosContostavlos (right,(right, with )Scherzinger) wenwentt boldlyboldly blonde

TOUCHING DOWN AGAIN… THE ‘X FACTOR’ RETURNS PROMISING TALENT, TEASING… AND TANTRUMS

he X Factor was back with a bang last Saturday Williams as his sidekick. Nicole will be jjoinedoined by Twhen the ninth series kicked off, featuring a US rapper Ne-Yo when she selects herher finalists, sensational singing supermarket worker, along with while it’s rumoured will be jjoinedoined by an aggressive rejected contestant and feisty stand-in either or . judge Melanie Brown, who shocked viewers with The first episode featured WWelshelsh PinPinkk her unflinching honesty. tribute act Zoe Alexander, who wasas so furious At the show’s press launch in London, the judges at being turned down by the judgesges that she were clearly proud of the singers they’ve discovered. shouted and swore, threw her microphonerophone and “This year, we really do have some homegrown shoved a camera and other parts off tthehe set. Were musical talent,” said Tulisa Contostavlos, as she sat the judges scared? “I didn’t fear foror my safety, I beside fellow judge and new full-time feared for Louis’,” laughed Tulisa. judge Nicole Scherzinger. Last year’s winners Little Nicole was a judge on the firstt series of ththee Mix performed their single Wings at the launch and American X Factor last year, alongsidengside SimonSimon spoke about the massive impact the show has had Cowell. She was dropped from thehe US versionversion on their lives: “We wake up and do something that before being recruited for a permanentnent role on the we love every day.” British show. Will she do anythingg different thisthis Judge missed the launch, as he time round? “I put 110 per cent in lastast titime,me, so I’lI’lll spends time with his wife Dawn following the loss of do that and will go with my ,” shehe said. daughter Poppy, who was recently stillborn at eight “Be honest,” interjected Louis. “You’reYou’re workinworkingg and a half months. “We’ve all spoken to Gary, we’re with nicer judges now. You’ll haveve fun on ththisis all in touch with him all the time,” said Louis. show.” He then quipped that it wasas okayokay to jokejoke Gary, who has three children – Daniel, 12, Emily, about “because he’s notot here”. nine, and Daisy, three – with Dawn, issued a The talent contest was criticised forfor having lost statement thanking fans for their support. “I’ll be its spark last year, but Tulisa has no qualms about watching the show at home on Saturday with my this series. “It was the second biggestst sshowhow to tthehe family,” he said. royal wedding last year,” she said. “I’m nnotot Gary has also decided not to take his final batch of worried about it at all.” H contestants to Majorca for the judges’ houses round. Filming will take place in the UK instead, with Robbie REPORT: DAWN EMERY

Last year’s winners (below); it’s doubtful that fiery Pink tribute act Zoe Alexander (right) will be as successful… ReadyRead tto rock: Judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Nicole Scherzinger alongside hosts and Dermot O’Leary (below)

87 PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES. KEN MCKAY/ WIREIMAGE.COM THAMES TV.

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