Is it that time of year already?

Speculation about the make-up of this year's X Factor judging panel has solidified with Simon Cowell declaring that he and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will definitely be back.

The reality TV mogul was asked by The Sun which judges would be returning and replied: "Cheryl and me are fine."

And he paid tribute to Dermot O'Leary, who recently quit as host on the show after eight years - amid rumours that he was going to be axed anyway.

SiCo said: "He'll always get work, he's a very talented guy and we'll do other stuff together."

Meanwhile show stalwart Louis Walsh has suggested that he will be leaving this year - although he has said that before.

Speaking to TV3 in Ireland, the 62-year-old hinted that show bosses were looking for a bigger shake-up this year.

"I think I'm done with X Factor honestly," he declared. "My day job is as a manager, I've kind of neglected that. I want to get back to being a manager.

"I'm working with Shane Filan, he's got a new record coming out, and I'm working with Hometown. I'd like to get back to where I started off. I never wanted to be on TV, it just happened."

"I've done 11 seasons. That's a long time on television. I think they're going to change it, go for a few new faces."

We vote for Nicole Scherzinger!