Robbie Williams Returning To The X Factor As ‘Co-Judge’?

We’re quite literally counting down the days until The X Factor returns to our screens, what with Nicole, Louis and Sharon back on the panel.

But Mrs O has a surprise in store for us this year – by bringing back a VERY popular co-judge.

Yes, Mr Robbie Williams everyone!

Copyright: [Rex]

According to The Sun, Robbie will be back on our screens again this year, helping his good pal Sharon Osbourne decide who to take through to the live shows.

Robbie, a firm X Factor favourite who’s advised the judges and performed on the show countless times, has been brought back in an attempt to win back ratings from BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing.

The ratings for last year’s series fell to an all-time low, with each episode only managing about 7.85m viewers – and it’s believed that fan-fave Robbie could be the breath of fresh air that the show needs.

“Getting Robbie back on the show is a really clever move on the part of Sharon and the producers,” a source told the paper.

“He has a huge fanbase and will attract loads of extra viewers purely from his name. It’s that sort of star quality they need to compete with Strictly.”

Copyright: [Rex]

“Every time Robbie appears on the X Factor he proves great entertainment value,” the insider said.

“As they never managed to get him to be a full-time judge, this is the next best result.”

It’s believed that Sharon will be heading up the ‘Overs’ category, with Robbie on hand to help her out.