Has she jumped ship? Rita Ora 'wooed away from The Voice to replace Mel B as a judge on The X Factor... after close pal Nick Grimshaw is signed up'

By MailOnline Reporter

Published: | Updated:

She has only one stint as a coach on The Voice under her belt.

But it seems that Rita Ora's contribution to the BBC reality show could be coming to an end - especially if Simon Cowell gets his way.

According to a report in The Sun, the chart-topping pop star is in talks to join the X Factor as its latest mentor, potentially alongside her close pal Nick Grimshaw.  

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In talks: Rita Ora's contribution to BBC1's The Voice could be coming to an end - especially if Simon Cowell gets his way, as he reportedly wants her to join X Factor

In talks: Rita Ora's contribution to BBC1's The Voice could be coming to an end - especially if Simon Cowell gets his way, as he reportedly wants her to join X Factor

Although there has been no formal announcement that Grimshaw has formally signed onto the ITV show, rumours have been abound for weeks.

Meanwhile, The Sun report that Cowell is in 'advanced negotiations' with the 24 year-old to shake-up the current panel and replace Mel B, meaning the two friends could also become colleagues.

A show insider told them: 'Re-signing Cheryl and getting Grimmy have changed everything.  

'Rita really wants to be on the panel now so it's a matter of making the logistics work. There's a lot to work through.'

Rumours: The Sun report that Cowell is in 'advanced negotiations' with the 24 year-old to shake-up the current panel and replace Mel B

Rumours: The Sun report that Cowell is in 'advanced negotiations' with the 24 year-old to shake-up the current panel and replace Mel B

However, an X Factor spokesperson responded by saying: 'There is particularly intense speculation over the judging panel, this year. 

'No formal decision has been made about the line-up as yet.'

That said, there have certainly been other changes to the show's formula. Long-term host Dermot O'Leary has been replaced by Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, while Louis Walsh is also expected to leave.

All change: An X Factor spokesperson responded by saying: 'There is particularly intense speculation over the judging panel, this year'

All change: An X Factor spokesperson responded by saying: 'There is particularly intense speculation over the judging panel, this year'

The most recent line-up: Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Mel B, Louis Walsh on X Factor

The most recent line-up: Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Mel B, Louis Walsh on X Factor

Will he charm Rita onto the panel? Simon famously won Cheryl over, but is allegedly hoping for another win

Will he charm Rita onto the panel? Simon famously won Cheryl over, but is allegedly hoping for another win

Louis was previously booted off the show eight years ago on 2007's series and was replaced by dancer Brian Friedman, but it didn't last long and Simon quickly reinstated him as one-quarter of the judging panel.

He's been through many different iterations of the showbiz line-up, sitting alongside the likes of Sharon Osbourne, Mel B, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow and Tulisa - as well as Cheryl - over the years. 

Addressing the rumours over Grimshaw and whether he's qualified to be a judge, Louis said: 'Yeah, he is - because he knows what’s going on in the world of pop,' Louis adds. 'He knows what’s cool and what’s not. His only problem is that he wears unusual clothes, but - then again - so does Simon, so they’ll get along famously.' 

From friends to colleagues? If the rumours are true, Rita and Nick would become colleagues as well as pals  

From friends to colleagues? If the rumours are true, Rita and Nick would become colleagues as well as pals  

XfactorMel BRita Ora

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