X Factor: 14 Talent Show Novices Who Would Be Perfect Judges

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Robbie Williams and Ayda Field have officially left their X Factor judging roles, while Louis Tomlinson has heavily hinted he’s also off.

This means Simon Cowell has a task on his hands: Who can fill those empty seats?

The rumour mill will soon start once again as to who will replace them, and we can pretty much predict the names that will be attached to the role.

We’re expecting to hear the likes of Cheryl Tweedy Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey mentioned in the coming weeks, many of whom have either appeared as a judge on X Factor or one of its rival shows in the past.

In a bid to freshen the show up a little bit – which is getting both an all-stars and celebrity version this year – we’ve done some groundwork for Simon and devised a list of stars who have never served as a full-time talent show judge.

We think they could be just what X Factor needs...

Sir Elton John

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Elton isn't exactly backwards in coming forwards when it comes to telling people what he thinks of them, and with plans to retire from touring already announced, it couldn't be more well-timed for him to take a seat behind that famous desk.

Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton on The X Factor. Just picture it for a minute, then try telling us it's a bad idea.

Calvin Harris

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We've had record execs, managers, singers and radio presenters on the panel, but a DJ/producer has never occupied a judges seat before, and who could be better to change that than Calvin?

Plus, it'd be a nice full-circle after he was famously banned from the show over that pineapple stunt, only to return years later to help Nicole Scherzinger at Judges' Houses.

Craig David

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The singer is already one of the names who has been linked to replacing Louis Walsh, and it would be intriguing to see him rise to the challenge, particularly as he's already had a taster as a guest judge on rival talent show The Voice.

Florence Welch

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Florence (sans 'the machine') would most likely prove a Marmite addition to the show, but there'd be no doubting her musical credibility, which could attract a new type of artist applying, not to mention a new type of viewer.

Celine Dion

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Celine has been living her best life lately, and what better way to follow up a colourful few years than by becoming an X Factor judge in 2019?

Annie Lennox

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Something tells us Annie Lenox might not be the biggest fan of shows like X Factor (she did once call it a "factory", after all), but that could make it even more watchable to see her on the panel, most likely hating every second.

Pink

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She's previously turned down The Voice Australia, American Idol and The X Factor claiming she couldn't be "honest" enough, but given how she's famous for speaking her mind, we reckon she's selling herself short.

Noel Gallagher

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The former Oasis guitarist has been asked to do it so many times now that it's only right that he finally gives in and tries out the role of talent show judge.

Stevie Nicks

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As the queen of rock and roll, Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks is more than qualified to fill Sharon Osbourne's old seat.

Lily Allen

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Lily and The X Factor have long been linked, and there's a reason for that - she'd be dynamite on the panel. We'd love it even more if she were to come face-to-face with old foe Cheryl Tweedy, should she return.

Mark Ronson

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He's one of the most sought-after producers in the business and has worked with some of the world's biggest popstars, so while he may not need X Factor, he would bring a wealth of credibility and star power with him, and he'd be able to phone in some amazing favours for Judges' Houses (who could forget his own memorable appearance with Nick Grimshaw in 2014?).

Ellie Goulding

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Ellie is one of the UK's biggest selling female artists and is no stranger to X Factor having dueted with Luke Friend at the 2013 live final. And with a musical comeback tipped for 2018, we think this would be perfect promo for her.

Janet Jackson