Rita Ora favoured for X Factor return

Rita Ora is firm favourite to become the fourth member of the X Factor panel, when the show returns later this year.

Head judge Simon Cowell is returning, and he is expected to confirm that Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne will again be in board, but there will be space for at least one new judge after it was revealed Nicole Scherzinger would not be back.

Cheryl was widely expected to return for her third stint on the show, but after it was revealed she was taking part in new BBC show The Greatest Dancer – her odds have drifted.

Now another former judge is firm favourite, in the shape of Rita Ora – who was previously on the show for one series in 2015, and she won with Louisa Johnson.

“Rita Ora is firm favourite for the fourth seat,” said OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“She is around 4/9 to return which is a near 70% probability ahead of Alesha Dixon – who is already judging next to Simon on Britain’s Got Talent – at 11/4.

“Money recently has come for Mel B – another ex-judge, whilst Cheryl is out to 10/1.

“Two other who have seen their odds cut in recent weeks have been the Little Mix girls, Jesy, Perrie, Jade and Leigh-Anne – whose odds are all around 14/1 – having been twice that just a few weeks ago.”

Selected odds on next X Factor judge:
Rita Ora 4/9
Alesha Dixon 11/4
Mel B 4/1
Cheryl 10/1
Jesy Nelson 14/1
Perrie Edwards 14/1
Jade Thirlwall 14/1
Leigh-Anne Pinnock 14/1