Who are The X Factor judges? Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh
THEY have the power to make dreams come true but their rejection can be nightmare fuel.
What does the X Factor 2017 judging panel look like this year and has anyone been replaced? Here's the all you need to know about this year's panel...
Who are the judges for The X Factor 2017?
Despite heavy speculation of a judging shake-up, the panel is exactly the same as last year.
It’s the first time in seven years that X Factor bosses have kept the same judging panel as the year before.
A source said: “The chemistry was perfect last year, so it’s only natural to want to bring the same line-up together again.”
Sharon Osbourne
Former music manager Sharon, 64, has had a trying year following the revelations husband Ozzy had been having an affair, but the couple have stuck together.
This is Sharon's sixth year as an X Factor judge, after returning in 2016, and she was an original judge on the show in 2004.
She has only ever mentored one winning act - Sam Bailey in 2013.
Last year, after being given the Over 25s category, her act Saara Aalto reached the final two in the competition.
In 2017 Sharon has been put in charge of the Girls category and the judge ended up bursting into tears when trying to pick them during the Six Chair Challenge.
Simon Cowell
Head judge Simon, 57, has only ever missed three series of The X Factor, during which time he was replaced by Gary Barlow.
Last year none of his acts in the Girls category made the final.
But he has been the winning judge three times with Steve Brookstein, Leona Lewis and Ben Haenow.
This year he's been given the Groups category, and it seems Simon's original Mr Nasty persona is back with a vengeance this series.
Louis Walsh
Like Sharon, Irish music manager Louis, 64, is a viewer favourite and show original.
He's only ever missed one series of the ITV show, which was in 2015, and has won once with Shayne Ward.
Louis is known for coming out with the same phrases like "you look like a pop star, you sing like a pop star" during reviews of performances, and for his catty comments about the other judges.
In 2017 he's been given the Boys category after his Groups act 4 After Midnight came third last year.
Nicole Scherzinger
Former Pussycat Doll Nicole, 39, first judged on The X Factor in 2012 and made a dramatic return to the show last year, in the wake of her feud with rival Cheryl.
Her act Matt Terry won the competition last year, which was the second time she's taken a hopeful to victory on the show.
Previously she helped James Arthur grab first prize in 2012 and in 2017 she will mentor the Over 25s.
A look at the performances of the 12 mentors in the show’s 13 series shows that Nicole Scherzinger is its most successful judge who’s been present on the panel with 22% her acts reaching the number one spot.
The research from found that girls rule when it comes to mentoring winning acts, with 75% of the winners having had a female mentor, despite the last 11 series featuring a 50:50 split between male and female judges.
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Who is hosting the show this year?
After returning to the programme in 2016, Dermot O'Leary seems to have settled back into the X Factor groove.
The 44-year-old is taking on presenting duties on the show once again, after signing a four-year contract.
He said last year: "I used to sign my contract year on year, which was sort of my decision, but then you feel emboldened and a bit more empowered when you then get asked to sign for four years.
"Not in an arrogant way, but in a way that you feel properly part of the team. Going back was very easy and it didn’t feel as weird as I thought it would.”
When is The X Factor 2017 on ITV?
The X Factor 2017 continues this weekend on Saturday and Sunday on ITV.
The show began, as always, with auditions before moving into the Bootcamp stage and then live shows as the nationwide hunt to find this year's winning act began.
Dermot O'Leary is hosting after making his big comeback to the show last year.
The new X Factor tour is epic!
SIMON COWELL has revolutionised this year's X Factor tour.
The all-new puts the power back in the audience's hands, as each night our finalists battle it out for fans' votes just like they do on Britain's most exhilarating TV show.