Gary Barlow: “It’s time we had a Take That-themed week on live shows!”

The X Factor 2013 is very nearly here, so OfficialCharts.com caught up with Gary Barlow and the all-star judging panel to hear what's in store for the 10th anniversary series.

It’s time…to face….THE MUSIC!

Well, almost.

London’s swanky Mayfair Hotel today played host to the launch of The X Factor 2013, where judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh assembled in front of the cream of the UK’s press to catch an early glimpse of the spanking new series that will be hitting our screens this weekend.

2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the talent show that has been responsible for a staggering 33 Official Singles Chart Number 1s and 50 million record sales here in the UK alone, and launching the careers of global superstars One Direction, Leona Lewis, plus the likes of Olly Murs, JLS, Alexandra Burke and Cher Lloyd, to name but a few. And now, after previewing what’s to come this weekend, it looks like 2013 is set for a whole new swathe of future Official Chart stars.

We must admit, we got swept up in the whole affair, as you do – from the spine-tinglingly stunning auditions to the wickedly tragic ones, the belly laughs and the tears, many a blub in fact; look out for 36 year old prison officer Sam Bailey and get your goosebumps (and tissues) at the ready!

Speaking at today’s launch, Simon Cowell said “It’s so easy after ten years to get lazy and make the same show again, but the enthusiasm, the changes, the judging panel is fantastic. It feels fresh, fantastic, I’m very proud to be part of the show, and once again I feel like a proud daddy!”

But enough from Dad, let’s hear what the judges themselves had to say. What was that about a Take That-themed week on live shows, Gary?

If each judge (and Dermot) were to audition, what song would you do?

Dermot: Mine would probably be Rule The World. I think I could do that justice, Gary. Not many key changes…

Nicole: Mine would be I’m Too Sexy.

Gary: Mine would be I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor.

Sharon: Mine is The Bitch Is Back!

Gary: And now the one we’ve all been waiting for…

Louis: You’ve just picked it! I Will Survive…we could do a duet, Gary?!

Judges, you’ve been doing this for a while now, every year you must bond with all these contestants and see them go on and some of them win; do you get upset when they get unceremoniously dumped by the record label after one album?

Gary: We as a panel here today, I can speak for the four of us, obviously after this competition is over, they go off to Sony then and we don’t have any control over that, and neither do Sony. Where they go and how they choose to make a career after that is kind of up to them really. I know this show is heavily based on us helping and mentoring, and all the rest of it, but people really are in control of their own destinies in this show. We see some people who get better and better, and some people who get worse and worse as they go on and make bad choices. We’re not in control of that.

Louis: Also, they’re not dropped if they sell records! If they’re selling records and doing well, nobody’s ever dropped.

Sharon: Yep, welcome to the music industry!

Louis: At least the show gives them the chance to make that one record that they would never ever have if it wasn’t for X Factor. I think it’s the best platform for anybody.

Have any of you judges had a bit of a blub yet this series?

Gary: It’s hard not to! I think the thing that we’ve noticed this time, when it’s in front of an arena, it’s very much a show, it feels like we’re part of a big show. But when you’re in the [audition] rooms and it is just literally one person, four judges and a hundred cameramen, it does feel very intimate and it makes you more emotional, I think, when they’re singing and you can see how they’re fighting for their lives. So you do get swept along.

Sharon’s got quite a reputation - before you first met Sharon and you heard you were working on the panel together, were you quite nervous about working alongside her? She didn’t really get along with Dannii who she worked with before…

Nicole: I hadn’t read anything before, I wasn’t a part of that show. I had a relationship with her before. It started in 2007 when she asked me to be her guest mentor at her house, so we’ve come full circle. Last year when they asked me who I wanted the next judge to be for the fifth judge, I asked for Mrs O, I’ve always loved her. For me, she’s The Queen! She started out this show and I give her much respect, it’s an honour and blessing to work with her and the other judges as well.

Louis, you’re leaving the show at the end of the series, are you only doing that so you can come back later and get all the fuss that Sharon’s getting?

Louis: Ha ha. You know what, you never know! Ten years on one show can be a long time. Listen, we’re having a great time this year, I might come back if I’m asked?!

Last year ratings dropped down a bit. They got rid of one judge and hired you, Sharon. Are you going to save the show this year?

Sharon: The ratings…I wasn’t here, it’s not my thing. The ratings…up, down, in, out…it’s whether the show is good, and the show is GREAT! And that’s what it’s all about.

Is it the best one you’ve ever done? Is it the best one they’ve [X Factor] have ever done?

Sharon: I’ve only watched what I’m in. I would never watch anybody else! Don’t be ridiculous.

Is it your best year, or have you had better ones?

I think I’m quite amazing!

How much is Simon Cowell on the phone to you during the series giving you advice?

Gary: These guys [the producers] get all the stick.

Dermot: He mostly speaks to the producers, so when you see Simon coming up on your own phone, you know you’re in a LOT of trouble!

Is there a head judge this year?

Gary: Is there a head judge this year? The Queen is back!

Sharon: Do you know what it is, people find this hard to take because it’s sort of become like pantomime – who’s the baddie, who’s the goodie – that’s all old craik, that was yesterday. That’s like old cheese.

This is a panel of people who are two great artists, two great writers/performers, two AMAZING managers, and it’s way beyond that. We have respect for each other, we actually like each other! Mutual respect, that’s what it’s about.

Louis: We genuinely get on well, it’s hard for everybody to believe that, but we go out socially. We’re very honest with each other, that’s really true.

Dermot: Until we get to studio!

And finally, Gary, is it time we had a Take That-themed week on the live shows?

Gary: Oh, ABSOLUTELY! I’ve been fighting for this for years! Come on producers, get it together! Let’s see some decent music on there!

Catch The X Factor this Saturday and Sunday at 8pm on ITV.