New X Factor judges for 2018 revealed

A former Take That singer, a former One Direction member, and a Loose Women panellist

The new X Factor judges, Ayda Field, Robbie Williams, Louis Tomlinson, and Simon Cowell (Getty Images)

With last year’s series of X Factor reaching record low ratings, the producers needed to fill their judging panel with names capable of bringing viewers back to the reality show.

ITV look to have done exactly that, scoring some huge names. First up, there’s Robbie Williams, becoming the second Take That member to act as a judge on the show (Gary Barlow was head judge between 2011 and 2013).

Filling Louis Walsh’s shoes (the judge quit the show last month) is another Louis, former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson. The 26-year-old initially found fame on the show and previously returned as a guest judge in 2015, helping Cowell choose which acts to take through from the judges’ houses to the live show.

Rounding off the newcomers is Ayda Field - the actor and regular Loose Women panellist who also happens to be married to Williams. The pair wedded back in 2010.

X Factor creator (and series stalwart) Simon Cowell acts as the fourth judge, while Sharon Osbourne also returns, but only for the pre-filmed audition section of the show.

Auditions for the upcoming 15th series of the show have already been taking place across the country.