Nick Grimshaw quits X Factor as Caroline Flack 'axed'

Nick Grimshaw has quit X Factor, it has been confirmed.

Grimshaw, 31, who joined the ITV show alongside Rita Ora last year will not be returning for the next series.

A spokesperson for the DJ said: "After careful consideration, Nick’s decided to rule himself out as a judge on this year’s X Factor.

"He loved working on last year’s series alongside Rita, Cheryl and Simon but it was very much a once in a lifetime experience.

"He remains a massive fan of the show and is looking forward to watching it this year."

Speaking on his BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, the presenter joked that curry was the reason he quit.

“When I finished at Christmas and had time off and had a think about it I just thought it’s one of those things I loved but it’s definitely once in a lifestyle kind of thing," he said. "And you can’t have a curry on a Saturday night because you’re there. Simon promised me curry.

“I loved Simon and I loved Cheryl and I loved Rita. The mentoring stuff I really really loved. There’s no bad blood – but I want to watch it on the telly.”

Rumoured replacements include former judge Louis Walsh and One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson who joined Simon Cowell as part of the Judges Houses stage of the competition last year.

Tomlinson, 24, told The Sun: “I’m the biggest X Factor fan and would love to be there week in, week out and really give that level of passion. I think I’d be a decent judge.”

Caroline Flack has allegedly been axed from the show following her stint as presenter alongside Olly Murs.