Photo: wenn
Gary Barlow has reportedly secured Cheryl Cole's long rumoured return to The X Factor, persuading her to help him at the Judges Houses stage of this year's show.
According to tabloid reports out today (Sept 8), Cheryl will act as a mentor to Barlow's acts and help him select which ones should make it to the live finals. However, Gary Barlow has had to keep the news a secret from everyone, including boss Simon Cowell.
He managed to convince staff on the show that it would be Robbie Williams who was joining him on the show, even though he is busy promoting his new album 'Take The Crown'.
'Only Gary’s intimate inner circle know. He hasn’t even discussed it with Simon or ITV bosses. It’s been seriously top secret stuff,' a source told The Sun.
'They’re all under the impression it’s going to be Robbie. No one even noticed the dates for the recording clashed with Robbie’s new solo tour.'
The three remaining judges have also recruited big name assistance with Tulisa grabbing Tinie Tempah, Nicole Scherzinger picking Ne-Yo's brains and Louis Walsh teaming up with X Factor stalwart Sharon Osbourne.
It was recently confirmed that gold medalists from the Paralympics will be invited to be part of the Olympic X Factor special Simon Cowell is plotting this year.
X Factor: from the early days to a bubble ready to burst
