‘The X Factor’ UK: Louis Walsh hints at Sharon Osbourne return

While we may still have a little bit of a ways to go until we get around to the premiere of “The X Factor” later this summer, everything is at least starting to come together, especially when it comes to assembling what could be the panel of judges this time around.

At the moment, what we do know is that we are for sure getting Simon Cowell once more, and on the “Late Late Show” airing in Ireland, Louis Walsh also confirmed that he’s going to sign his contract to return after a year off the air. He also made it clear that his longtime friend Sharon Osbourne may be fairly close to returning in her own right:

“I went to meet Sharon Osbourne, and she’s interested in coming back as well … I haven’t signed my contract, and neither has Sharon, I’m being honest with you. I’m going to when I get it.”

Sharon and Simon Cowell have also reportedly met up to talk a return, and if she does sign on, this leaves only one vacancy, which we presume could be occupied by Rita Ora, once we figure out her status. If not her, we imagine that Cowell could reach out to some other prominent female artist. We figure that he will want at least one recording artist on the panel, given that he, Louis, and Sharon are all from the recording / management side.

We imagine that an official announcement will come later this spring before filming officially begins. Stay tuned!

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