Kimberley Walsh has compared Nick Grimshaw to Marmite.

Kimberley Walsh

Kimberley Walsh

The former Girls Aloud singer is "excited" about seeing the BBC Radio 1 DJ join the judging panel of 'The X Factor' but is worried about what kind of reception he'll receive from fans.

She said: "He's a bit like Marmite - people love him or hate him. Maybe they're not giving him a chance because they haven't seen him on TV much. I think he'll be a good judge.

"I've met him a few times and worked with him over the years. I really like him and find him warm, easy to get on with, funny and witty. Hopefully, that's what we'll see of him and the public will fall in love with him."

The 33-year-old star - whose former bandmate Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is also returning to the panel - thinks Rita Ora is also a great choice for the ITV show.

She shared: "Obviously we know what to expect with Rita because we've seen her on 'The Voice'. I think it's great that she and Cheryl are different characters but they get along well. And I'm excited about Nick because it's a different angle - coming from radio and bringing a non-performer's perspective is a totally new thing."

And Kimberley - who welcomed her and her boyfriend Justin Scott's first child, son Bobby, nine months ago - is hoping to see more of Cheryl during the upcoming series as she's no longer pregnant.

She added to Now magazine: "I think all hopes of babysitting have gone now that she's back on 'The X Factor'! She's been able to come and see Bobby a lot recently, which is nice. Then we'll have to go down to hers when she starts on the show because I know how hectic she is. Last year she was like, 'Come and see me!' I was like, 'I'm too tired and pregnant - it's not going to happen'. I didn't even make it to the show."

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