Robbie Williams nabbed by Sharon Osbourne as co-judge at X Factor judge’s houses
Pair previously united to find winner Sam Bailey in 2013
BRINGING SHARON OSBOURNE back to the X Factor was a genius move by SIMON COWELL on several counts.
One, she’s the most brutally honest judge of all. Two, she might throw water over LOUIS WALSH. And three, she always recruits an incredible guest for her judges house round.
This year is no different.
I can reveal that Sharon has bagged British superstar ROBBIE WILLIAMS as her co-judge.
The TAKE THAT star will join her at her Los Angeles mansion in the coming weeks for filming where they will whittle down the three finalists from her Overs category.
After some lacklustre guests in recent years, Robbie’s signing is a huge coup for the ITV show in its ratings battle against Strictly Come Dancing.
Yesterday a source revealed: “Getting Robbie back on the show is a really clever move on the part of Sharon and the producers.
“He has a huge fanbase and will attract loads of extra viewers purely from his name.
“It’s that sort of star quality they need to compete with Strictly.
“Robbie and Sharon are old mates and used to be neighbours in Los Angeles so their chemistry is amazing.
“Every time Robbie appears on the X Factor he proves great entertainment value.
“As they never managed to get him to be a full-time judge, this is the next best result.”
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Robbie was Sharon’s judges houses guest the last time she appeared on the panel three years ago.
He even helped her pick the eventual winner in SAM BAILEY too, so having him back again certainly bodes well.
We’ll soon be seeing a lot more of Rob.
The singer is currently preparing his big solo comeback after I revealed he had quit record giants Universal to sign with their main rival Sony in a multi-million pound deal.
His Take That band mate GARY BARLOW might have a bone to pick with him, however.
As I recently revealed, Gary has launched his own talent show Let It Shine to rival Simon Cowell and the X Factor, where he is seeking out talent for the cast of the upcoming Take That musical.
If he wants Robbie to help him out, he‘ll have to play second fiddle to Sharon.
Given the legacy they deserve
VIOLA BEACH have been given the legacy they would have wanted following the posthumous release of their debut album.
The Cheshire band – JACK DAKIN, RIVER REEVES, TOMAS LOWE and KRIS LEONARD – were killed in a car accident in Sweden in February.
Now a brilliant music video for their single Boys That Sing has been released, with the band recreated as animations.
It’s a lovely touch.
I Jess can't believe it
SHE has the most distinctive ginger hair in showbiz but not everyone knows who JESS GLYNNE is.
The singer was apparently bemused when a staff member at MTV Crashes Plymouth bumped into her by the main stage on Thursday morning and told her he “didn’t have a clue” who she is.
Despite Jess explaining she was performing later, an onlooker said: “It was really awkward.
"Even though she was one of the headline acts, a member of the crew didn’t even recognise her.
“She eventually laughed it off and had a chat with him.”
Keep an eye on my Facebook page at for an exclusive video of Jess, RUDIMENTAL and Game Of Thrones star RALEIGH RITCHIE behind the scenes at the music bash.
Ed start for Max
MAX GEORGE’s former flames will be feeling a flicker of worry when they read this.
The ex-THE WANTED star is close to launching his solo career and his inspiration is ED SHEERAN – famed for singing about cheating and heartache.
I’m told Max has been in the studio with top songwriter Amy Wadge, who co-wrote the singer’s hit Thinking Out Loud.
A source said: “Max is a big fan of Ed so the chance to write with Amy was exciting.
“He’s hoping she can bring out the romance in his songs.”
That should make interesting listening for his exes.
The singer was engaged to actress MICHELLE KEEGAN and rumoured to have had flings with singer TULISA CONTOSTAVLOS and Hollywood stars LINDSAY LOHAN and CARMEN ELECTRA.
Max is now dating beauty queen CARRIE BAKER.
The couple faced six weeks apart after he left their home in LA to work on his music in the UK. Carrie will be hoping to keep on his good side.
Tom's Swift return
THE withdrawal period is over for TAYLOR SWIFT and TOM HIDDLESTON.
The couple were re-joined at the hip as they went for a romantic dinner after Tom’s solo trip to Comic-Con in San Diego.
The loved-up pair grinned and held hands as they arrived at Hillstone in Santa Monica on Thursday evening.
Their public union occurred as Taylor’s rival KANYE WEST broke off from his collaboration at a DRAKE concert to gloat about leaking their phone call when Taylor agreed to the use of her name in his song Famous.
Before launching into the tune, he said: “I’m so glad my wife has Snapchat.”
At least someone is.
Ora's SenoRita
RITA ORA has clearly been spending too much time on her phone – but at least she’s not playing Pokémon.
Instead, the new host of US reality TV show America’s Next Top Model has turned into a real-life emoji.
The singer emerged in New York in a flamenco dress and looked like a real-life version of the Spanish dancer that you will instantly recognise from your mobile keypad.
Earlier this month I revealed that Rita had taken over from model TYRA BANKS on the reality contest.
Hopefully Tyra – now an exec producer on the show – will give this look the thumbs-up emoji.
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