Fernandez-Versini resigns as X Factor judge ‘to make music’

X Factor judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will not be part of the show when it returns later this year.

She’s the latest change to the line-up after fellow judge Nick Grimshaw said he was leaving the show as well.

Presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will also be replaced by Dermot O’Leary who’s returning after a year away.

“I’ve missed making music. I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on The X Factor,” the former Girls Aloud singer said in a statement.

“I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I’ve missed making music and am excited to be recording again.

“I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon who I love to bits.”

In response Simon Cowell has said: “Cheryl and myself spoke about this. I totally understand her commitment to making more records.

“In the near future we will be working on other things together.”

It’s not the first time Cheryl has left The X Factor.

She was a judge on the UK version of the show between 2008 and 2010.

Cheryl’s first two solo albums, 2009’s 3 Words and Messy Little Raindrops from 2010, made it to number one in the Official Album Chart

She was also briefly unveiled as a judge on the US version, before being publically sacked by Simon Cowell.

Following that public spat she returned to the UK version in 2014.

In February, Nick Grimshaw told listeners to his Radio 1 Breakfast Show that he’d decided to step down because of the busy filming schedule.

He joked: “You can’t have a curry when you’re on it on a Saturday night because you’re there.
Image captionTwo judges from the 2015 panel have left the show
“What’s really good about X Factor is watching it at your house with your friends [and] having a curry.

“When you’re there, there’s no curry. Simon promised me curry.”

ITV recently confirmed The X Factor would continue “into 2017 and beyond”.

It’s not clear if fellow 2015 judge Rita Ora will return, but there are reports producers of rival show The Voice are trying to get her to make a move.

There have been rumours Simon is lining up Louis Tomlinson to have a role on the X Factor when it returns.

It’s also been claimed two of the show’s original judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh could make a return this year.

Source: BBC