ITV has confirmed that The X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne has had to pull out of auditions in Edinburgh due to a back injury following surgery earlier this year.

Advertisement

Fortunately Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon will be stepping into Sharon's place while Sharon recovers from her continuing "niggling back problems".

Alesha's no stranger to the show – the singer filled in for former Pussycat Doll and judge Nicole Scherzinger in the Manchester auditions for the upcoming series.

She will be taking up Sharon’s seat alongside Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger while The X Factor continues its talent search in Edinburgh.

An X Factor spokesperson told RadioTimes.com: “Unfortunately, Sharon is suffering from niggling back problems following surgery earlier in the year and will be unable to take part in the Edinburgh auditions. Alesha will be guest judging on the panel today."

Advertisement

Series 14 of The X Factor will start later this year

Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement