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

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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