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Nile Rodgers to fill in for Robbie Williams on 'The X Factor' this weekend

Nile Rodgers (Credit: Rex)
Nile Rodgers (Credit: Rex)

Chic legend Nile Rodgers will be drafted in to replace Robbie Williams on the X Factor judging panel this weekend.

The famed US producer and guitarist behind hits like I Want Your Love, Le Freak and Everybody Dance, will grab Robbie’s seat due to the singer’s previous tour commitments in South America.

According to The Sun, he will appear on Saturday night alongside Robbie, helping him with his groups, and will then take his casting vote alone on the Sunday night show.

A source said: “Robbie was originally due to be off this Saturday as well but ITV have agreed a pre-record X Factor earlier in the evening so it means Robbie can do the show then get a late flight to Chile.

Robbie and the X Factor judges (Credit: Syco/Thames)

“The show will air ‘as live’ in its usual slot. Nile is a music legend so viewers will be in for a treat.”

Rodgers also appeared on the show during the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition, where he joined One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson in helping choose his boys category.

X Factor fans may recall this was the spot that was due to be filled by Sharon Osbourne, whose appearance was eventually axed after she made a series of disparaging comments about the show – and boss Simon Cowell – during an interview on Howard Stern’s radio show in the US.

Meanwhile, show bosses were said to be ‘keen’ to get former Take That star Williams on board despite knowing about his potential mid-series absence.

“Ultimately, the gigs are so big that cancelling them would cost more than his X Factor pay packet is worth,” a source said in June when it emerged that the show would clash with his tour dates in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

“There’s even some talk of moving the X Factor dates around him so he doesn’t miss as many, or any, but that seems a bit extreme.”

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