The X Factor 2018 judges confirmed as Louis Tomlinson, Ayda Field and Robbie Williams join Simon Cowell

The popular ITV show will return later this year

After weeks of speculation over who would join the music mogul on the successful ITV show, the new line-up was revealed during a press conference at Somerset House on Tuesday.

Speaking to media, Cowell said: “We have tried to get Robbie on every show for 18 years and through Ayda we became friends.

“It all happened so quickly. They came to Britain's Got Talent one night and it all seemed perfect, they came back to my house, we had a little chat on the balcony and did the deal.

X Factor 2018 Launch - In pictures

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“Louis is brilliant with talent, I've seen him come to rehearsals.”

The One Direction star told the room: "I have done the show. I can empathise (with) and understand people in that situation. It just made a lot of sense for me.

"Development is something I've always been interested in. It's important to have someone who has been through the process."

Music man: Simon Cowell has a new panel for X Factor
Getty Images

Gushing over her new role, Field said: “I was surprised and excited.

“I have auditioned for years I know what’s it like to have stakes high, to put it all out there. I know what it’s like to get the job and lose the job being with Rob for 12 years.

Duo: Husband and wife Robbie Williams and Ayda Field will appear on The X Factor 2018
Getty Images

“I have been every step of the way with him I have a huge amount of empathy for the process.

“The fact that we get to work and against each other is exciting. We’re extremely competitive…we get competitive when we’re reading bed time stories to the kids!”

Williams, who recently performed at the World Cup 2018 opening ceremony, told the media that he has done tours and tour promotion and that it was “time to branch out and start something difficult”.

The four will get straight into the action from tomorrow, when the first round of auditions in front of the stars begin.

The new faces follow the departure of veteran judge Louis Walsh, who chose to step down the panel earlier this year to return to his day job as a manager, and Nicole Scherzinger.

Sharon Osbourne will skip out on the auditions for the 2018 series but return to her seat on the judging panel for the live shows later this year.

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