Gary Barlow set to re-join X Factor

Gary Barlow has confirmed he’s signed on for another series of the UK’s X Factor.

The Take That star is set to reprise his role as head judge for the upcoming ninth series of the hit reality TV show.

"I'm thrilled to be back and really looking forward to working with the X Factor team again," said Barlow in an official statement. "The fact that a superstar could just walk out on that stage is very exciting."

"Gary has earned his place and I'm excited to be working with him again," added X Factor creator Simon Cowell.

Barlow is the first judge to be confirmed for X Factor 2012. It is currently unknown if long-time judge Louis Walsh and Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland will be returning to the show for another series. However Simon Cowell has told the BBC that he wants the remaining judge from the 2011 show, N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, back on X Factor "one hundred per cent". Cowell has even taken the step of booking Contostavlos to perform her new single Young on his Britain’s Got Talent show.

“I'm very excited,” said Contostavlos. "It's a huge show, with a massive amount of viewers, for my first live solo music performance. Simon will be on the panel watching, so I'm performing in front of the X Factor boss too!”

Tulisa - Young on MUZU.TV.