Mel B ‘Axed From X Factor Judging Panel' By Simon Cowell After Just One Series | HuffPost

Mel Has The Axe Factor

Matt Bagwell— The Huffington Post UK

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Mel B is on the hunt for a new job after reportedly being axed from the ‘X Factor’ judging panel after just one series.

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The former Spice Girl will not be returning for this year’s series after being given the chop by Simon Cowell, according to reports.

Mel B

Mel’s departure is all part of a huge shake-up planned for the singing competition in a bid to win back viewers and steal the ratings crown from BBC rival ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

A source told the Sun: “Bosses are evolving The X Factor and it has been decided Mel won’t return.”

Another insider added: “Simon and the producers are now looking for a replacement for Mel. If they fail to find a suitable candidate there is a very small chance she could be back.”

Mel had a controversial first year on the show, which saw her miss the first live final after being rushed to hospital with a mystery illness.

She was later forced to deny that her husband Stephen Belafonte had hit her.

Louis Walsh is also set to leave the judging panel after 11 years on the show.

In an interview earlier this month, he explained: “I think I’m done with ‘X Factor’, honestly. My day job is as a manager, I’ve kind of neglected that. I want to get back to being a manager.

“I’ve done 11 seasons. That’s a long time on television. I think they’re going to change it, go for a few new faces.”

Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez Versini will be returning

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell appeared to confirm that he’ll be back for more ‘X Factor’, alongside Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who returned to the panel in 2014.

It's also been confirmed that presenter Dermot O'Leary won't be returning to front the show this year, with Olly Murs and Caroline Flack set to take over presenting duties

'X Factor' Judges Ranked Worst To Best

10. Gary Barlow(01 of10)

Gary Barlow spent his entire time on the 'X Factor' panel banging on about how important it was to showcase 'authentic' talent, then sending Frankie Cocozza out in a vest top to perform the Black Eyed Peas song 'I Gotta Feeling'.No ta, Gary. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)

9. Kelly Rowland(02 of10)

We know there's a lot of love out there for Kelly, but she didn't half make every situation about herself, which is why we've lumped her so far down this countdown. She also once literally bowed down at Gary Barlow's feet, which is a big no-no in our book.Mind you, she was involved in one of our fave ever 'X Factor' moments when she quite literally phoned in sick, putting on a special 'woe is me I've got a sore throat' voice to deliver her vote live from LA. Embarrassing and fabulous in equal measure. (credit:Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images)

8. Tulisa(03 of10)

Now we know there's a lot of people out there who aren't big fans of the 'Young' singer, but for the two years she was on 'The X Factor' she did have quite a few brilliant moments, particularly when she held her own against a contestant who branded her a low-rent Cheryl Cole - not to mention maintaining her dignity when Gary 'The Lad' Barlow slagged off her "fag ash" breath.She'd probably be higher up the list if she didn't insist on doing that stupid thing with her arm... (credit:Suzan/Suzan)

7. Mel B(04 of10)

Now we like Mel a whole lot, and we have high hopes for her time on 'The X Factor', but frankly she's only been in a couple of episodes, so it wouldn't really be fair to put her too far up the list, would it? (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)

6. Louis Walsh(05 of10)

Oh, Louis. He's like a piece of the 'X Factor' furniture at this stage. Without lovely Louis putting his foot in his mouth, winding everybody up, giving Irish contestants fast passes to the final and giggling away while people deliver their sob stories, what would 'The X Factor' even be? (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)

5. Dannii Minogue(06 of10)

After years of living in her sister's shadow (Kylie, that is, perhaps you've heard of her...) Dannii really came into her own on 'The X Factor'. The Australian star brought a touch of glamour to the panel with her arrival, and we looked forward to her hairstyles, her dresses and - of course - her frosty relationship with Sharon Osbourne every week.Dannii mentored not one but two winners during her time on the show - but don't get too excited, they were Leon Jackson and Matt Cardle. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)

4. Cheryl Cole/Fernandez-Versini/Just Cheryl(07 of10)

Let's be honest, Cheryl's arrival on the 'X Factor' scene in series five really helped catapult the show to iconic status. The whole country fell in love with her Bambi eyes, her Geordie one-liners (who wasn't saying "you are right up my street" for weeks after Cher Lloyd's audition) and the way she could put Simon Cowell in his place. Or at least she could until she threw on those purple flares and he sent her packing. Still, they've made up now and they're both back on the panel, and it feels like nothing's really changed (besides her fancy new surname, that is). (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)

3. Sharon Osbourne(08 of10)

Whether she's boastfully laughing in a contestant's face, chucking a glass of water in Louis Walsh's face or just telling everyone how faaaabulous she thinks they are, Sharon Osbourne really came (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)

2. Nicole Scherzinger(09 of10)

One word for Nicole Scherzinger dishing out sausage rolls in a Greggs tabard? Schermazing. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)

1. Simon Cowell(10 of10)

Really, who else could we have had at the top?On paper, everything about Simon Cowell shouldn't work - a man in his 50s, shirt unbuttoned to the naval, with two dogs named Squiddly and Diddly deciding who can and can't sing, yet for some reason we can't help but be charmed by him, despite his status as TV's original Mr. Nasty.He can crush your dreams, insult your clothes and send you up the river all in the name of light-hearted entertainment, but one flash of those pearly whites and he's immediately forgiven... (credit:Tim P. Whitby via Getty Images)

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