Luke Jacobz Returning as The X Factor Australia Host, Plus More Judge Rumours Including Mel B and Natalie Bassingthwaighte

by POPSUGAR Celebrity AU 1

While the situation with the judging panel on the Australian version of The X Factor still looks uncertain after Kyle Sandilands announced he wouldn’t be returning last week, Luke Jacobz has confirmed that he’ll be hosting round two of the competition series. Luke scored the gig last year after Matthew Newton’s personal drama ended his involvement with the show. As for who he thinks could take Kyle’s place, Luke has a former Spice Girl in mind: “Last year we had Mel B come on. I think she’d be a great laugh,” he says. Delta Goodrem’s name was in the mix as a possible Kyle replacement, but she tweeted last week: “Heard the reports: I was asked to be on x factor before it ever started in Australia, But declined as my focus and love is to make music. xx,” putting an end to those rumours.

Now there’s word that former So You Think You Can Dance Australia host Natalie Bassingthwaighte could be joining the judges, with the Sunday Telegraph reporting that she’s “close” to signing. As for the other original judges — Guy Sebastian, Ronan Keating and Natalie Imbruglia — it seems only Ronan (who mentored last year’s winner Altiyan Childs) has signed on, even though Guy had expressed his commitment to the second series.