After months of speculation, the final judge for The X-Factor was announced last week. The official Twitter page for the show announced former Scary Spice, Mel B would join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and former Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.

The first round of auditions started today in Manchester – the first time in five years Cheryl, Louis and Simon were in the room together! Last time the trio were in the room, boyband JLS were discovered!

In the past, Manchester has brought some of the best artists to the show, such as boyband sensations Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.

This seasons judging panel is set to make this season one of the best, if not the best the show has ever seen!

With Mel’s spicy attitude (pun intended), Cheryl and Simon’s feisty relationship and Louis being well, Louis we are definitely in for a great show this year!

Auditions are being held in the following cities:

-Manchester
-Newcastle
-London
-Edinburgh

Photo credit to respectful owners.