Gary Barlow has paid tribute to the judging line-up of this year's X Factor.

The Take That singer said the panel, which along with him includes N-Dubz star Tulisa, Kelly Rowland and veteran Louis Walsh, have earned their place on the show.

“I suppose in terms of who they could have picked to be new judges alongside Louis, there’s no one more valid than me, Kelly and Tulisa because we’re out there doing it right now, we’re selling tickets, selling records, and we’re out there doing what these guys want to be doing,” he said.

Barlow has reportedly earned the reputation as "the new Simon" on the programme, while Tulisa said her fellow judges felt like "a new family".

Both Tulisa and Rowland have shared they have already seen a number of stand-out acts, while Walsh has said he has had the most fun ever with the new line-up.

The new series of the X Factor begins on ITV1 on Saturday August 20 at 8pm.

Watch the trailer for the eight series of the X Factor here: