Nicole Scherzinger has hit back at claims the ‘X Factor’ judges are too old.
The former Pussycat Doll insists experience is vital to be a mentor and is pleased to see Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne back in their seats.
She said: "Look how glorious we all look! I don’t think the panel is too old, I mean, you have me and I’m sch-amaze to the balls. Simon [Cowell] invented this, Mrs O is the queen of rock and roll and Lou Lou has been doing this forever.
"I think it’s hard when you’re trying to make a new start and discover things, just blossoming and haven’t experienced life yourself. You’re still trying to figure it out – so how are you going to mentor someone else who hasn’t even gone through life enough?"
The 38-year-old singer is excited about working with Simon full time and believes he has "softened up a lot" since becoming a dad.
She added: "I’ve never done a full series with him in the UK and I think ever since he became a dad he’s softening up a lot. I feel like his critiques are very honest, very Simon, no nonsense, he won’t beat around the bush, he’ll get straight to it
"But at the same time he feels people, he’s quite sensitive, he knows how to handle certain people. So he’ll go, ‘Look, this is never going to happen, but I like you and this is a great quality of yours’. So he gives them constructive criticism and I’m like, ‘Who is this man over here?’"