Former X Factor finalist Amelia Lily would "love" to see Cheryl Cole back on the show's judging panel this year.

There is currently a lot of speculation over who will grace the coveted seats on this year's UK show.

Lily thinks Girls Aloud star Cole - who departed the show in 2011 after three years - would be welcomed back with open arms.

She gushed in an interview with British magazine new!: "I would love to see Cheryl back. I'm a fan of Cheryl. She was great on the show and she is a great person."

Tulisa and Nicole Scherzinger were the female judges on the last season of The X Factor. Lily thinks the pair made excellent additions.

She explained: I got on with Tulisa while I was on the show and Nicole really is great. I'm hoping Simon Cowell will return - he's the ultimate judge."

Meanwhile, it's been confirmed that The X Factor will revert back to its old format. Instead of auditioning in front of a live audience, wannabe contestants will perform in a more intimate setting like in the show's early days.

A spokesman told British newspaper The Sun: “We can confirm the audition rooms will be returning to the X Factor as one of a number of exciting changes.”

The contestants will then have to impress judges at a second stage in front of a live audience before being put through to Boot Camp.