Mel B is to return as a judge on ‘The X Factor’, it has been confirmed.
However, Spice Girls fans hoping the new series will be getting a lot more zig-ah-zig-ah shouldn’t get too excited, as she’s only filling in for Nicole Scherzinger at Friday’s auditions (17 June) while she honours a prior commitment.
We’re guessing this “prior commitment” isn’t in any way related to Andrew Lloyd Webber…
![Mel B](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5763a3011500002b0073b176.jpeg?cache=jFXV17yc4g&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Mel was previously a judge on ‘The X Factor’ for one series in 2014, mentoring finalist Andrea Faustini.
She’s since appeared alongside Simon Cowell on the judging panel of ‘America’s Got Talent’.
An ‘X Factor’ “insider” tells The Sun: “This is a diary clash that Nicole had booked in before she agreed to do ‘X Factor’ and couldn’t change.
![Mel B and Simon Cowell pose with fellow 'AGT' judges Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5763a3361500002f001b9fa0.jpeg?ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
We don’t envy Friday’s batch of hopefuls, having to perform in front of the always-honest Mel B and Sharon Osbourne, who has already assured viewers that she’s taking no prison with her return to the show.
Sharon recently claimed: “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but unfortunately the nerves and rejection during the audition process does often cause some tears.
Prior to her return to the ‘X Factor’ panel, Mel B hit the headlines earlier this year over claims she was planning a special project with her former bandmates Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell.
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