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FIRST LOOK

First look at Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger back on the X Factor

Judges get back together as the first rounds of X Factor auditions start in Leiscester

THE X Factor judges finally reunited today as the new line-up of fan favourites gathered for the first round of panel auditions in Leicester.

Simon Cowell was brought back together with former panellists Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, as well as host Dermot O'Leary.

 The first official picture of the brand new judges panel as they kick off auditions
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The first official picture of the brand new judges panel as they kick off auditionsCredit: Syco/Thames/Dymond

The four judges walked the red carpet at Leicester City FC's King Power Stadium and were greeted by cheering crowds.

The fans gathered at the football ground seemed delighted to welcome back the familiar faces to the line-up following months of speculation about who would be joining Simon for the new season.

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 Sharon's back! Fans went wild as she turned out for today's auditions
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Sharon's back! Fans went wild as she turned out for today's auditionsCredit: PA:Press Association
 Sharon flashed peace signs to the crowd
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Sharon flashed peace signs to the crowdCredit: Fame Flynet
 The newly-returned judge looked happy to be back as she larked about
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The newly-returned judge looked happy to be back as she larked aboutCredit: Rex Features

Sharon looked on fine form as she pulled poses for the cameras, even flashing peace signs and a heart symbol.

 The screaming crowd thrilled Louis, who appears glad to be back in his old job
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The screaming crowd thrilled Louis, who appears glad to be back in his old jobCredit: PA:Press Association
 Yes Louis! Fans went wild for their old favourite
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Yes Louis! Fans went wild for their old favouriteCredit: WENN
 Louis looked super-smart in a navy blue suit
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Louis looked super-smart in a navy blue suitCredit: Getty Images

Her old pal Louis also larked about outside the ground, smiling and laughing as he made his way into the event.

 Nicole was seen waving a football shirt on the red carpet
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 Nicole was seen waving a football shirt on the red carpetCredit: Fame Flynet
 The singer knew exactly how to get the local crowd on side
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The singer knew exactly how to get the local crowd on sideCredit: Rex Features
 It looks like we all know which footie side Nicole has been supporting
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It looks like we all know which footie side Nicole has been supportingCredit: WENN

Nicole got into the spirit of the event by waving a Leicester City shirt for the delight crowd, just weeks after the team beat the odds to clinch the Premier League title.

She was seen holding up the strip, which had her name emblazoned on the back.

The pop star waved it like a flag as the crowd went wild.

 She looked sensational in a red trouser suit
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She looked sensational in a red trouser suitCredit: WENN
 She showed off her long legs and trim figure in the tight red outfit
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She showed off her long legs and trim figure in the tight red outfitCredit: SF1
 She even stopped to take selfies with fans
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She even stopped to take selfies with fansCredit: PA:Press Association
 Simon even managed to crack a small smile
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Simon even managed to crack a small smileCredit: Syco/Thames/Dymond
 Does he ever wear anything else? Simon did not put that much though into his outfit
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Does he ever wear anything else? Simon did not put that much though into his outfitCredit: WENN

Even Simon managed to crack a small smile as he paraded in front of the screaming fans.

He adopted his trademark uniform of jeans, white shirt and aviator sunglasses for the big launch event today.

At least he looked a bit more cheerful than usual.

 Simon has yet to shave off that beard
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Simon has yet to shave off that beardCredit: Rex Features
 Mr. Nasty flashes a peace sign to the crowd
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Mr. Nasty flashes a peace sign to the crowdCredit: Rex Features

Today's audition marks the first time the new line-up has been brought together to film for the new season.

It also marks the return of the show's host, Dermot, who previously bowed of his role and was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.

 The host is also back to complete the line-up of fan favourites for this year's show
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The host is also back to complete the line-up of fan favourites for this year's showCredit: WENN

Dermot looked thrilled to be back with the judges he has worked with before.

He walked the red carpet and posed for pictures with the crowd, and one got a little cheeky by grabbing his bum.

The snap shows a female fan clamping her hand on his bottom as he posed for a picture.

 Cheeky! One fan got a little personal with The X Factor host
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Cheeky! One fan got a little personal with The X Factor hostCredit: XPOSURE
 He was happy to stop and chat to fans, and even pose for selfies
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He was happy to stop and chat to fans, and even pose for selfiesCredit: XPOSURE

Nicole was not the only member of The X Factor cast to show some allegiance to the local football team - Dermot was also spotted wearing a blue and white hat.

 Is that a Leicester City hat Dermot?
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Is that a Leicester City hat Dermot?Credit: Fame Flynet
 Dermot looked happy and relaxed as he prepared for a big day of filming
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Dermot looked happy and relaxed as he prepared for a big day of filmingCredit: Fame Flynet

The Sun has previously revealed how Simon fought to get his old pal Sharon back on the show.

She agreed, and even took a pay cut from her job on US chat show The Talk to allow her time to fly back to Britain to film The X Factor.

 Sharon showed fans her most stern look as she prepared to grill some aspiring pop stars
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Sharon showed fans her most stern look as she prepared to grill some aspiring pop starsCredit: Fame Flynet
 He looked unusually cheerful as he brought his judges back together
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He looked unusually cheerful as he brought his judges back togetherCredit: WENN

Fans may have been surprised to see Simon looking so perky on the red carpet as he has been recovering from the flu.

The music mogul was struck down with a nasty bout of ill health last week, prompting him to miss his own charity event.

 Nicole is replacing Cheryl and Rita with the other experienced judges
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Nicole is replacing Cheryl and Rita with the other experienced judgesCredit: PA:Press Association

The Sun previously exclusively revealed that Cheryl would not be returning to the panel this year, opting out along with fellow pop star Rita Ora and DJ Nick Grimshaw.

The mass exit left Simon scrambling to find replacements, and he spent months trying to secure Sharon, Louis and Nicole.

 Fans of the show were previously gutted when Louis was given the boot
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Fans of the show were previously gutted when Louis was given the bootCredit: WENN

Fans have welcomed the return of their favourite judges, and are looking forward to lots more heated spats between Sharon and Louis this year.

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