Veteran talent judge Paula Abdul is making a return to The X Factor on the upcoming All Stars edition of the show
CHOOSING a third and final judge to join old pros Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh on the X Factor: All Stars edition could make or break the show.
So head honcho Simon decided he would bring back an old pal by enlisting Paula Abdul, who was a judge alongside him on the American version of the X Factor eight years ago.
It is a major return to telly for Paula, one of the original judges on American Idol from 2002 to 2009.
Nicole Scherzinger is returning to judge X Factor: Celebrity, but Paula will take her seat for X Factor: All Stars as Nic already has other work commitments.
And bosses are hoping the singer, currently in the midst of a residency in Las Vegas, will bring some much-needed glamour to the ITV show.
A telly insider said: “Paula is a close friend of Simon’s and they’ve always kept in touch since working together in America.
“She is part of the Syco family and they all work closely together.
“She is part of the Syco family and they all work closely together.
“Paula and Simon have great on-screen chemistry and their banter is funny and entertaining.
“Simon feels comfortable sitting next to her and knows they’ll have a laugh and wind each other up, which will make for electric and entertaining viewing.
“Simon has handed her a lucrative contract to ensure she’s happy and it’s worth her while financially.”
Simon previously joked about the sexual frisson between himself and Paula.
He said: “I think it was the sexual tension on her part. I considered it, but then I thought, ‘I don’t think the after would be as good as the before’.
“I’d let her stay for a few hours, but then it would have to be goodnight.”
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A winter warmer
DYNAMIC Redknapp duo Harry and Jamie are working on a Sky1 series, potentially called Redknapp’s Weekend Warm-Up.
They will be joined by Tom Davis, one of the funniest fellas on telly, for a footie chat show with star guests.
A Sky source said: “It’s early days but the current plan is that it would be an hour long and have a load of topical football chat looking ahead to the weekend’s football.”
My weekends have long revolved around a few hours of nonsense with Soccer AM launching the weekend’s football banter and coverage.
Another hour, with Jamie, Harry and Tom at the helm, sounds perfect.
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HOLLY Willoughby and Bradley Walsh are the hosts for BBC Christmas special Take Off With Bradley And Holly, which will see the duo give their studio audience the chance to win a trip of a lifetime to snowy Lapland.
Alesha’s on the move
ALESHA Dixon has landed a £2million deal to be a guest judge on America’s Got Talent.
A source close to the star said the big-money-deal has prompted her to consider making a permanent move to the US.
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Alesha is replacing Mel B on the show after the former Spice Girl decided to move back to Leeds.
A source said: “Alesha’s seriously considering moving Stateside and pursuing the lucrative opportunities that are opening up to her now she has got this £2million deal.
“I mean that amount of money would tempt anyone to make the move.”
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