{blackbabes} Mel B Joining 'The X Factor UK' To Complete Judging Lineup For 11th Cycle

The Fault in Our Stars / Divergent / The Descendants

Fox cancelled The X Factor in the U.S. back in February, the same day that ITV said creator Simon Cowell would rejoin the UK version. The following month, Cowell confirmed that former X Factor UK judge Cheryl Cole would return for the 11th season of the show after having left to join the U.S. version in a famously short-lived stint. Today, Cowell’s company Syco announced by tweet that Mel B is to be the fourth UK judge. The panel is now complete with Cowell, Cole, Mel B and the returning Louis Walsh. Last year’s group consisted of Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzing. The former Scary Spice, Mel B (aka Melanie Brown) was a guest judge on The X Factor UK in 2012 who lived up to her nickname with her straight talking approach. Today, she said, “I’ve always thought honesty is the best policy when being a judge and that’s what I’m going to bring more of this year — whether it’s spotting an incredible singer, giving someone a reality check or debating with Simon over who’s got it wrong! Now I can’t wait to get started and find some amazing talent.” Cowell added, “I thought she was fantastic as a guest judge a couple of years ago. She is feisty, opinionated and, I believe, will be a great mentor.” Mel B is also a judge on NBC series America’s Got Talent, which Cowell created. Its UK incarnation, Britain’s Got Talent, concluded this past weekend. A return date for The X Factor UK has not been confirmed by ITV, although the show generally begins airing in August and finishes up in December. ITV renewed the show’s contract last November to keep it on the air through 2016. Last year’s 10th season had consolidated ratings of about 10M viewers.