Nick Grimshaw
Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw will be adding The X Factor to his portfolio REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

It was one of the worst-kept secrets in showbiz but Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and singer Rita Ora have been confirmed as the new X Factor judges.

Show boss Simon Cowell and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini have also announced that they will be making a return in the next series of the ITV competition.

Reacting to the news, Breakfast Show host Grimshaw, 30, said in a statement: "I love X Factor and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I'm hugely excited to be joining the show.

"Music is my job and my passion and I'm really looking forward to seeing what talent we can find and nurture this year. I can't wait for judges' houses in Oldham!"

I Will Never Let You Down songstress Ora added: "I am excited to be coming back to The X Factor – I had a ball here in 2012.

"This is a journey I can't wait to embark on to find some talented singers. It's the new generation taking over. Boom!"

Ora's new gig suggests it is unlikely that she will appear in rival singing contest, The Voice, with recent reports claiming Cowell, 55, was keen to poach her from the BBC One series.

Rita Ora
Rita Ora was previously a coach on BBC's The Voice but has jumped ship for ITV's X Factor Frazer Harrison/Getty

Fans of the long-running series will be pleased to learn that Fernandez-Versini, 31, has signed up for another series. The Crazy Stupid Love hitmaker said of her return: "I haven't been as excited about an X Factor season since I first became a judge.

"The addition of Rita and Grimmy along with some interesting changes we've made to the format has refocused us to do what we do best, finding talent and making stars. I cannot wait to get started."

Cowell added: "It's taken a while! But I am very happy to be able to confirm our line-up of judges for The X Factor this year. The combination of Nick, Cheryl and Rita is going to be a lot of fun!

"I have a feeling I am in for a bit of a rough time but sometimes you have to embrace the craziness and now, with luck, we hope to find a star."

Grimshaw and Ora, 24, replace long-serving judge Louis Walsh and former Spice Girls singer Mel B, whose departures were announced earlier in 2015.

Auditions are underway for the upcoming X Factor series, which is expected to return to screens in August.

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