Gary Barlow wanted Nicole Scherzinger to star on 'Let It Shine'.

Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow

The Take That singer tried to get the 'X Factor' judge to join him on his new BBC talent show but Nicole had already agreed to return to Simon Cowell's ITV popstar search programme.

She told The Sun: "He did ask me. He said he was right about to call me then he saw Simon had signed me for X Factor and he was like, 'Oh God'. So, that was sad."

And Nicole revealed she is thrilled with the current panel of 'The X Factor', which includes Simon, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, and hopes they will all return next year.

She said: "If I was ever to do another panel with 'X Factor' it would only be with the one we have now. If someone quit, I would quit.

"Unless Gazza came back, I love Gary. I'm so excited for 'Let It Shine', I can't wait.

"I just love Gary Barlow. Everything he does is golden."

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that 'Let It Shine' - which will see judges search for stars for a Take That-themed West End musical - will air on the first Saturday of 2017, the same day 'The Voice' will be first broadcast on ITV, after the channel outbid the BBC for the rights to the series.

A source said: "Both shows are being shot in the same studios, which is extra-awkward. Gary has even told people that as soon as he found out Let It Shine was up against 'The Voice', the BBC show upped the ante.

"And there's no plan to rule out a 15-minute window where both shows are on."

Despite a possible overlap, 'Let It Shine' - which will feature judges Gary, Martin Kemp, Dannii Minogue and guest panellist Lulu - is expected to start earlier than The Voice's 8pm kick-off time.

But there are concerns about the two shows launching on the same day because such a move may go against a government white paper outlining BBC guidelines which stated any scheduling clashes should consider "the best interest of viewers".

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