Nicole Scherzinger could be replaced by Mel B on the 'X Factor', judge Louis Walsh has claimed.
Mel B
The 64-year-old music mogul sat alongside the former Pussycat Dolls singer, Sharon Osbourne and head judge Simon Cowell on the panel last year.
Nicole, 38, is the only judge from 2016 yet to sign up for this year's series and Louis says if she doesn't commit then former judge Mel B would be a perfect replacement and Simon is in constant contact with the Spice Girl because they appear on 'America's Got Talent' together.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, he said: "She (Nicole) might be getting a big movie like 'Wicked'. If so, Mel B would be a good idea for the panel. Mel is on the US show with Simon."
And Louis - who is been the longest reigning judge on the ITV show since it began in 2004, despite being axed and reinstated twice - insists he is staying put on the panel for at least another two years.
He said: "I am signed for the next two series on 'X Factor' so I am Simon, 57, will be hoping Nicole will return as he has stated he wants the panel to stay the same because the show - which was ultimately won by Matt Terry - was such a success.
He said: "I don't think for the moment we'd want to make any changes.
"It worked on 'X Factor' last year and the 'Britain's Got Talent' panel works really well. There's always room to come up with new ideas for shows but you've got to look at the whole landscape. It's a crowded market but there's always room for something new if it's a good idea."
But Simon's former flame and judge sidekick Sinitta recently hinted that changes were to happen on the forthcoming ITV series.
She posted on Twitter: "We have not even had @BGT live shows yet and already my head is reeeling at the changes coming up on @TheXFactor 2017!! Is it your time?!! (sic)"
Tagged in Louis Walsh Mel B Nicole Scherzinger