New ‘X Factor’ Judges For 2015 Series Announced: Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw To Join The Judges’ Panel

The X Factor will be getting two new judges for the 2015 series! British TV network ITV has confirmed that radio host Nick Grimshaw and singer/actress Rita Ora will fill two empty judges’ seats on the show, the Independent is reporting.

The new X Factor judges will join producer and longtime host Simon Cowell at the judges’ table, alongside Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. Long-serving judge Louis Walsh left at the end of last season, and Mel B, who’s busy with America’s Got Talent, has announced that she won’t be back, either.

Nick Grimshaw, who will keep his radio job while working the judges’ panel on The X Factor, tells Radio Times that he’s looking forward to new digs just as much as he’s look forward to judging talent.

“I love X Factor and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I’m hugely excited to be joining the show. Music is my job and my passion and I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent we can find and nurture this year. I can’t wait for Judges Houses in Oldham!”

Independent entertainment writer Daisy Wyatt reports that Simon Cowell might have brought in Grimshaw, a native of Manchester, to help the show appeal to northern audiences.

Meanwhile, Rita Ora, who served as an X Factor guest judge in 2012, will be leaving her spot on The Voice for her new gig.

“I am excited to be coming back to The X Factor – I had a ball here in 2012. This is a journey I can’t wait to embark on to find some talented singers. It’s the new generation taking over. Booooom.”

The X Factor remains a ratings juggernaut in the U.K., and in worldwide editions. A U.S. edition, airing on Fox from 2011 to 2013, failed to find an audience, however, and was not renewed for a fourth season after Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the American edition to focus on the U.K. edition.

Cowell himself has high hopes for the new X Factor judges.

“It’s taken a while! But I am very happy to be able to confirm our line-up of judges for The X Factor this year. The combination of Nick, Cheryl and Rita is going to be a lot of fun! They all bring a lot of enthusiasm and passion for music to the show.”

The new X Factor judges will make their debut on ITV later this fall.

[Image courtesy of: Shutterstock / Helga Esteb]