Audition Begins On The Famous X-Factor Show

Geordie beauty Cheryl Cole couldn't have looked happier or more at ease in the first photos of the new panel which were released this week.

Cheryl can be seen, her face wreathed in smiles, as she sits between her old friend Simon Cowell and X Factor's newest judge Melanie Brown. Making up the quartet is Louis Walsh – the only judge who has remained with the show for the whole 11 seasons.

It seemed the four had colour-coordinated their outfits with a monochrome theme, with Cheryl and Simon in white and Mel and Louis in black and white.

Simon admitted that all eyes would be on Cheryl, who initially left the UK version of the show for the American version in 2011. The new appointment didn't work out though, and the 30-year-old was made redundant in a matter of weeks.

"Of course the pressure is going to be on Cheryl this year, coming back after a break," the music mogul told the Sunday People. "All eyes are going to be on her, but she is ready for it. She’s going to be great.

"We're both looking forward to sitting together on the panel again."

There was much excitement earlier in the day as auditions for this year's TV star search began in Manchester.