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Dannii Minogue has the X factor as Louis's replacement
Last updated at 08:32am on 04.04.07Dannii Minogue is to replace Louis Walsh as the new judge on X Factor.
The 35-year-old pop star, who is Kylie Minogue's younger sister, has been locked in talks with ITV bosses since last month.
Sources confirm she has now accepted the coveted role and will appear alongside Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne in the new series.
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The new judge: Dannii Minogue replaces Louis Walsh
Taking a starring role in one of the highest-rating shows on British television is a massive boost for Dannii's career - which has forever seemed to be slightly less successful than that of her sister.
An show insider told the Mail: "It has now been decided that Dannii will be the new judge. There was much speculation about her joining the team but she has decided to go for it.
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As they were: Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell
"She has all the attributes needed to be a good judge. She is beautiful, talented and very eloquent. She will do well. The British public will not be disappointed with her.
"It was an easy decision to make, especially after her outstanding performance on (a similar talent show in her home country) Australia's Got Talent," the source said.
The deal is understood to be worth some £250,000 for Miss Minogue.
The once-married Australian star, who first became famous after appearing the Australian soap Home and Away, has enjoyed nine top-ten singles in this country including Put The Needle On It and I Begin To Wonder.
The decision comes just three weeks after Louis Walsh, 54, famous for managing Irish boy band Westlife, was axed from the show.
Under a new format of the popular reality TV show, Miss Minogue will be one of four judges, instead of the usual three.
Walsh, however will continue to manage the hopefuls off air.
Presenter Kate Thornton, 34, who also fell victim to the show's restructure, is believed to be pursuing further TV projects.
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Before the sacking: Louis with former X Factor presenter Kate Thornton and Simon
A spokesman for ITV said: "We are unable to confirm anything at this stage."
Last month, Miss Minogue was a judge on an Australian reality talent show, Australia's Got Talent.
Dannii recently spoke of her admiration of the X Factor, saying: "The auditions are my favourite - the more they can't sing, the funnier it is. I know that sounds terrible but we all love a bit of car-crash reality TV."
Simon Cowell is understood to be behind giving Miss Minogue the role.
"Simon thinks she is exactly the kind of person that X Factor needs," explained a source recently.
"Not only is Dannii young and sexy but she also has first-hand knowledge of the music industry. Simon thinks she is just the breath of fresh air they need."
X Factor was first broadcast in 2004 and has successfully produced three winners, Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward and most recently Leona Lewis.
But it was not so long ago that the show, which has helped make Cowell a multi-millionaire, was embroiled in a phone vote scandal.
In march this year, it emerged the show had overcharged viewers to the sum of £200,000.
The interactive voting fiasco - affecting 1.3 million votes happened during every live show in the last series.
The X Factor was just one of many being audited in an ITV review.
Reader views (6)
Go Dannii! Just what the show needs. New talent and a fresh approach.
- Cameron, Australia
In reply to Victoria, Edinburgh.
The reason they haven't chosen someone with 'a successful career in the music industry' is exactly that, they are all busy doing what they do best. And have a career which is not worth damaging by appearing on such a braindead programme.
Hence the reason for the talentless Sharon Osbourne, the limited talented Simon Cowell and the slightly talented Dannii Minogue doing what they are about to do.
No hopers judging other no hopers.
I actually think that it should be renamed X-creatment!
- Linda B, Uddingston Glasgow
Not really unusual for Simon Cowell to pick the pretty girl to join teh show is it? I think she'll be fantastic but not convinced she'll be £1 million fantastic though! Hopefully she'll add something new to show as well!
- Cassie, Peckham
I really look forward to seing Dannii Minogue on X Factor. Shes got experience as an artist herself and knows how the industry works outside in so she is an ideal candidate as a judge and mentor.
- Lucy, High Barnet
I hardly think she's in a position to judge potential singers! This is similar to when Geri Halliwell was a judge on Popstars the rivals. Why can't they get someone who has had a successful career in the music industry?
- Victoria, Edinburgh
This is great news. You've got to love Kylie - what's not to like? But I always thought Dannii was the more vocally talented of the two, and with the exception of three or four songs [of Kylie's]. Dannii's greatest hits CD blows it out of the water, even if it may not have had the same commercial success. I haven't seen Australia's Got Talent, but I don't doubt Dannii will make a fantastic judge and mentor dfor the series - and won't make the awful song choices for her charges that Louis often did. It would be great if we saw her singing/coaching them occasionally, too, because this girl really can sing!
- Jonny, London
