Fans of The X Factor were left in shock last week after it was reported that Nicole Scherzinger had been axed from her judging role on the ITV show.
And it was claimed that veteran mentors Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne were also being ushered towards the exit, with Simon Cowell wanting to bring in some younger blood in a bid to boost ratings.
However, it now appears that old high-trousers has been forced into a dramatic U-turn, and that Louis and Sharon will be keeping their jobs after all.
Last year saw The X Factor slump to its lowest-ever viewing figures, with the first night of the live final attracting just 4.4 million people.
And with this year’s series due to start filming in June, Cowell had big decisions to make.
According to reports, the music mogul opted to give his three fellow judges the heave-ho as he set his sights on freshening up the panel with younger, funkier celebrities.
Nicole definitely won’t be back this year, but it’s emerged that Simon’s reported plan to give 65-year-olds Louis and Sharon the push has been thwarted.
Read more: Stacey Solomon reveals the ONE major change she’d make to X Factor
It turns out that the show’s core audience is made up of older people, who might be less interested in youthful judges.
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