Louis Tomlinson teases One Direction bandmates could appear on X Factor: 'They might fight for that seat at judges' houses!'

Louis Tomlinson has teased that his One Direction bandmates could join him on The X Factor as he settles into his new role as a judge.

The singer, who shot to fame on the show back in 2010, was announced as a member of this year’s judging panel alongside Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Simon Cowell at a press conference on Tuesday .

And he revealed that he might not be the only star to return to the show this series as he joked about judges’ houses.

Tomlinson said: “I have had a couple of texts from the lads, but between them they might fight for that seat at judges' houses so it's going to be good.”

Turning his comments to his new gig, he commented: "I have done the show. I can empathise (with) and understand people in that situation. It just made a lot of sense for me.

"Development is something I've always been interested in. It's important to have someone who has been through the process.”

The 26-year-old also allayed fears that he would be giving up his own musical career to focus on the ITV show, saying that his release schedule hasn’t changed.

Cowell said, explaining why he chose the panel: "I'm going to be honest, for me the most important thing when you create a panel is you've got to have good looking people, which is why I chose myself.

"We have tried to get Robbie on every show we have made for 18 years and then for Ayda and Lauren [Silverman] they became friends.

"It all happened so quickly. They came to Britain's Got Talent one night and it all seemed perfect, they came back to my house, we had a little chat on the balcony and did the deal.

"These two together, Ayda I consider the rock, Robbie can be a bit nuts, but also passionate about music.

"Louis is brilliant with talent, I've seen him come to rehearsals."

The X Factor returns to ITV later this year.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.