Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger will judge X Factor: The Band with the help of industry experts

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ITS lucky Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger get on because they will be the ONLY judges on a new X Factor spin-off.

They will be on the panel of The X Factor: The Band, meaning Louis Walshs return was a brief one.

Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger will be the only judges on X Factor: The Band

Instead, industry experts will help the pair pick their band.

Simon will be looking for the new One Direction while Nicole is determined to create a group on a par with the Pussycat Dolls, which she found fame in.

No pressure then.

An X Factor insider said: Simon and Nicole are already winding each other up about wholl pick the best band and the judges wont hold back with their opinions during the auditions.

‘It will be like a throwback to the old days’, an X Factor insider said

It will be like a throwback to the old days where theyll say what they really think even if it comes across as harsh. There wont be any time for wasters. Auditions are taking place at Simons record label Syco in London and the bands will be comprised of solo stars merged into a group.

Hosted by Dermot OLeary, the ITV mini-series kicks off on December 9 and will feature four shows, including the final on December 15.

Simon told HOAR this month he rushed out the series to ensure it airs before Little Mixs new BBC1 talent show, The Search, as he claimed he came up with the idea first.

The new series is very much in the mold of Popstars: The Rivals, the 2002 ITV talent show that discovered girlband Girls Aloud and, the not quite so memorable flop boyband One True Voice.

I still think their Shakespeares (Way With) Words is one of the most under-rated pop songs of all time, mind.

Rob-bed of sleep

ROB Rinder gets a very rude awakening when Michael McIntyre bursts into his bedroom in the dead of night.

The funnyman brought his Midnight Gameshow into the home of everyones favourite TV judge, and for once the Sun columnist was lost for words.

Rob Rinder got a very rude awakening from Michael McIntyre
TV’s Judge Rinder got woken up to do the quiz on on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show
Judge Rinder was joined by Grange Hill’s Zammo McGuire, maths whizz Johnny Ball, and Olympic ace Greg Rutherford

Particularly when as part of Michael McIntyres Big Show this Saturday night, he was joined between the sheets by Zammo McGuire from Grange Hill, maths whizz Johnny Ball, Olympic ace Greg Rutherford and even a cameo from puppets Sooty & Sweep.

I think hes going to need a bigger bed.

Jonah bags Ag

AFTER starring in BBC1s World On Fire, actor Jonah Hauer-King has a steamy new role playing Agatha Christies toyboy lover.

Channel 5s Agatha And The Curse Of Ishtar airs on December 15 and tells how the crime writer, played by Lyndsey Marshal, meets Max 14 years her junior who went on to marry her.

Lyndsey said: It was the first scene I shot with Jonah, a more loving scene, and that was a bit challenging.

But in hindsight it was probably for the best…if we had to do that further on into the shoot we wouldnt have been able to keep a straight face.

Ben: Age is block to roles

BEN Miller is about to reappear on our screens in ITV drama Sticks And Stones.

But he knows how hard it can be for older actors to land roles and says competition means he has to battle middle-aged spread.

Ben, 53, said: I cant suddenly go to 16st Id like to go to 16st but I dont think Id get the work.

It does get tougher as you get older. Theres definitely more roles for older men than older women but there are also fewer parts for older men than younger.

The new drama, from Doctor Foster writer Mike Bartlett, starts next month, with Ben playing the boss of a man being victimised.

But not all his favourite shows are highbrow. He said: Made In Chelsea is beautifully shot. It was my wife who said, Youve got to watch this, its brilliant and then I was hooked.

Theres no accounting for taste.

Motley chew

CELEBRITY Come Dine With Me has signed up a rather random selection of stars for its festive special.

Arriving for some food and drink will be Strictly Come Dancing sensation Debbie McGee and reality TV personality Charlotte Dawson.

And if that wasnt bizarre enough, they will be joined on the E4 show by drag artist and Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act as well as comedy duo Dick & Dom.

The show will air daily from December 16 to 20.

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