The auditions haven’t even begun yet, but there’s already speculation over which ‘X Factor’ judge will triumph this year, following confirmation that Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw have joined the panel.
The two stars will sit alongside returning panellists Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, and it looks as though one of the new recruits could emerge victorious.
The new panel
According to Ladbrokes, Rita is already the favourite to be this year’s winning judge, and the bookies’ spokeswoman Jessica Bridge explains: "Rita was the only good thing about 'The Voice' so it's not a huge surprise that Cowell has hijacked her from the BBC.
"As far as the odds are concerned she'll be the star of the show and will mentor this year's winner.
"Other than young viewers It's hard to see what Grimmy can actually bring to the panel as a judge."
When the announcement was made on Tuesday morning, fans of the show weren’t exactly overjoyed, and many took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
Ladbrokes are offering odds of 9/4 on Rita winning the show, and 5/2 for both Simon and Cheryl.
With no talent show experience, Nick is currently the outsider, and fans who fancy a flutter are being offered odds of 3/1 on the DJ guiding a winner.
The panel will unite for the first round of auditions in July, and Nick has already been planning for the judges’ houses stage - though we’re not sure what Si will think of his desired location.
Joking on his Radio 1 breakfast show, Grimmy said: “I'm thinking of doing it in Oldham.
“It's gorgeous. That's where I was born and bred so I was thinking maybe I'd go back there, that or maybe go there or Barbados, they are the two options I'm thinking.”
Last year’s series was won by Ben Haenow, who was mentored by Simon, while Fleur East - also mentored by Si - came second.
Can one of the newbies mentor a winner? Watch this space…
