So Geri Halliwell Is Going To Be A Guest Judge On The X Factor... Great.

The auditions for this year's X Factor start tomorrow and the powers that be STILL haven't found a replacement for Kelly Rowland. By the sounds of it they were trying very hard for Dannii Minogue but it looks like that has slid through their fingers so we are going to be stuck with "guest judges". I HATE guest judges. As seen on Britain's Got Talent this year, they are rubbish. They aren't used to the surroundings, there's very little chemistry between everyone and when the regular judge comes back is all we get is "Well, I didn't see you at the auditions." "I might not have put you through..." "I can't compare what you've done." THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T BE ON THE PANEL.

Because it worked so well the first time...

Okay, this is slightly different. Nobody's pregnant or contracted malaria. But why the hell haven't the producers got someone ready? When your number one choice falls through, go to your number two. People know when these auditions are, they haven't been sprung on them at the last minute.

So somehow they've convinced Geri Halliwell to come on board. Bet she took loads of persuading. It seems like a really dull choice to me. She was rubbish on Popstars: The Rivals and she was rubbish on The X Factor a few years back. Maybe she was available and that was that. I don't know; it just seems really lacklustre this panel. Let's be honest, last year's show wasn't amazing. Kelly was just TOO American (which made Alexandra "OKDOTCOM" Burke think the public wanted that much enthusiasm), Gary was a bit dull, Tulisa was really lame (that "feisty side" she kept promising? Kate Middleton would have been more threatening) and Louis, well. I don't know what to say about Louis anymore.

No one else has been confirmed and they've not said how long Geri is going to be on the panel. All I know is, it was bloody rubbish when this happened last time. Natalie Imbruglia, Pixie Lott, Nicole Scherzinger, and Katy Perry (now, THAT seems a life time ago) all joined the panel at some point in 2010 and it just made it a bit dull. There was never really any chemistry between them and it spoiled the audition process. 

The USA version has Britney Spears, we get Geri Halliwell?? 

Sort it out Simon. Must try harder.

X Factor USA Judges Revealed.. And yeah it IS Britney!

The worst part of The X Factor (UK and US) is the never ending stories about who is going to be on the judging panel. My god it's tedious. Some ridiculous names always get thrown around; Katy Perry, Rhianna, Sharon Osbourne, Beyonce, Cheryl Cole (again). And to be honest I thought Britney Spears was another one. Why would she want to do it? Oh sure there's a massive paycheck at the end of it, but there's really no hiding away on a show this size. You have to show some personality, especially on the live shows.

The Gang's All Here (Picture from Britney's Twitter account)

But here she is; one of the biggest celebrities on the planet, and Simon Cowell got her. Anyone saying she hasn't enough experience obviously doesn't know anything; in theory she is perfect for this show. IN THEORY. This is the kind of person they are looking for, so you'd hope she could spot talent coming a mile off. The only thing I'd worry about is is she ready for it? It's a hell of a big job and isn't her dad still her guardian (or something)? I really hope she does well, I like Britney and always hoped Justin Timberlake would have come back to rescue her.

Demi Lovato is the other new judge and I have to say I'm intrigued. She's been through quite a bit publicly for a 19 year old (not unlike Ms Spears) and she will bring one hell of a Disney audience with her too. Lots of talk about paychecks with Demi netting a $1 million to Britney's $15 million. Let's be honest though, Simon needed a big name and they don't come much bigger than Britney Spears; $15 million is going to seem like a drop in the ocean if Simon gets the ratings he's being bragging about. And come on; nearly anyone would have been better than Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.

Both girls have been through a lot and I think it's fair to say they seem quite fragile; lets hope Simon knows what he's doing and, along with LA Reid and himself, he's brought together an ultimate team. Suit up.