With Louis Walsh hovering in the wings, there’s much talk about the possibility of the X Factor live shows featuring additional judges on top of Simon Cowell, Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora, and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
However, it might not just be Walsh coming on-board the show – speaking to The Mirror, a source claimed that legendary music stars including former The Voice coach Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Cher and Dolly Parton could each appear on the show for a week.
The source said: “There have been some discussions about introducing a fifth guest judge on the panel for the live shows to keep the format fresh.
“The idea would be to have a music legend to join Simon, Cheryl, Rita and Nick as an impartial judge each week. We’re still exploring how this could work so nothing is set in stone.
“A fifth judge means we have a majority decision for anything that happens, it would mean an end to deadlock too in sings offs which some viewers see as a cop out.”
Another source explained that the choice to go for older music stars would help balance out this year’s younger judging panel and attract a wider range of viewers.
Denise Truscello/WireImage“Simon went for a young and fresh panel this year with Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora,” the source said.
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“He has no complaints and is happy with how they are working and attracting young viewers, but this new plan might help also get viewers who are much older and might tune in to see their idols on screen. Tom Jones was a big hit with older viewers on The Voice so it is that kind of theory.”
The X Factor live shows are said to be starting on October 31 for a run of seven weeks.