Take That star Gary Barlow has been discussing his thoughts on his fellow X Factor judges.

The latest series of the show kicked off last night (August 31) and sees Gary sitting alongside Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne on the judging panel.

When asked if he prefers this year’s line-up, Barlow replied: “Definitely, 100%.”

The current series of The X Factor has brought back Sharon Osbourne who was last on the show in 2007.

60-year-old Osbourne has taken over from former N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos.

During last year’s series Gary Barlow infamously spoke out about Tulisa’s “fag ash breath” during a live show.

Talking about Tulisa’s replacement, Barlow said: “Sharon's breath is much better! Whatever is going on with every individual judge it affects the whole panel.” 

He continued: “When someone's not comfortable or someone's not happy it affects everybody. I was almost glad for it to end last year so when I heard Sharon was coming back I was relieved. I didn't get the impression Tulisa wanted to come back. Sharon's just so relaxed and it's taught me not to be too serious. We're having so much fun.”

Louis Walsh also feels that Sharon Osbourne has improved the show. He explained: “If I'm honest the atmosphere is much better. Sharon has brought something extra to the show, she is fun and feisty.”

However, Walsh also stressed that he is still in contact with Contostavlos: “I'm still in touch with Tulisa, she doesn't always text me back because she is in Ibiza. She lost her way but she is a good person.”

Tulisa Contostavlos announced that she would not be returning to The X Factor in May. She was later arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs in June 2013. 

Watch footage of the "fag ash breath" incident below: