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

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!"

Open auditions for the series have already seen thousands of hopefuls turn out across the country with the hope of making their dream come true of becoming the next big singing sensation. The judges’ auditions will start on 4th June in Glasgow before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, London and Cardiff. This will be followed by the second stage of judges’ arena auditions in July

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.

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.

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 Cowell 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!”

We wil bring you photos from the first X Factor auditions in Charleston later today.

Stephen Mulhern has a chat with the judges tonight on Britain's Got More Talent. Simon Cowell came up with a surprise answer to one of Stephens questions.

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

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

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

Moving on to Amanda he asked Amanda what makes her angry. She responds with a rather long list!:

Amanda: “People who can walk but use travelators at airports as a lift, they are not for people to stand on and not walk. Lorry Drivers who don’t turn their indicators off, that makes me really angry. I can’t stand half-fat spreads. Children who scream whose mothers then just whack them. People who ring your telephone, I’m ex-directory but I get people from call centres ringing me up for double glazing.”

Britain's Got More Talent follows the main show at 8.45pm on ITV2.