Gary Barlow at The X Factor launch in central London

Gary Barlow at The X Factor launch in central London

Gary Barlow got the 'X Factor' judges "legless" to unite them for the upcoming 10th series.

The Take That singer plied his fellow panellists, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger with drink after the auditions for the ITV talent show's 10th series in a bid to ensure morale was high between the quartet going into the Boot Camp stage of the competition.

When asked who is the head judge this season, returning panellist Sharon - who previously quit the show because she didn't like working with Dannii Minogue - said: "People find this hard to take because it's sort of become like the pantomime, 'Who is the goody? Who is the baddy?'

"But that's all old crap, that was yesterday, that's like old cheese.

"This is a panel of people who are two great artists, two great writers and performers, two amazing managers, and it's way beyond that. We have respect for each other, we actually like each other.

"This one with the wine, [pointing to Gary], gets us legless. There's no him or her, it's just mutual respect."

Sharon has replaced Tulisa on the panel for this year's series and Nicole revealed she specifically asked bosses for the 60-year-old star to be one of the judges.

Speaking at the launch of the 10th series of 'The X Factor' in central London earlier today (29.08.13) - where she was joined show boss Simon Cowell, her fellow judges, and 'Xtra Factor' co-hosts Caroline Flack and Matt Richardson - Nicole said: "I had a good relationship with Sharon in 2007 when she asked me to be her guest mentor at Judges Houses, so we have come full circle.

"Last year when they asked me who they wanted the fifth judge to be I asked for Mrs. O so I've always loved her.

"For me, she's the queen. She started out this show and I have to give her so much respect and it's an honour and a blessing to work with her and the other judges as well."

The latest series features a host of impressive wannabes and comical moments aplenty, as well as a new "musical chairs" twist that is set to have contestants and viewers in floods of tears.

The new element sees the panellists select their six contestants for the Judges Houses stage of the competition in front of a studio audience, but after filling their six seats they still have the chance to remove one of their hopefuls and replace them with another one of their wannabes.

The 10th series of 'The X Factor' kicks off on ITV at 8pm on Saturday (31.08.13).

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