Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson to join Simon Cowell on the 2018 X Factor judging panel

The judging panel for the 2018 series of The X Factor has been revealed.

After months of rumour and speculation, it was officially confirmed today (July 17) at a press conference that Simon Cowell will be joined by megastar Robbie Williams, his wife Ayda Field, and One Direction's Louis Tomlinson for the 15th season of the popular music competition.

Auditions have been scaled back for 2018, with room auditions scrapped. The first glimpse the judges get of the hopefuls will be in The SSE Arena, Wembley in London tomorrow (July 18). Auditions will only take place in the capital this year for five days between July 18-24.

Robbie Williams is a major acquisition for The X Factor. Previously a guest judge alongside Gary Barlow in 2011, and Sharon Osbourne in 2013 and 2016, Robbie has scored seven chart-topping singles, with 12 of his albums hitting the top spot on the Official Albums Chart. Robbie also earned four chart-topping albums and seven UK Number 1 singles with Take That. 

Robbie's wife Ayda Field is definitely the wildcard on the 2018 judges desk. The Days Of Our Lives actress and Loose Women star could very well serve as a 'People's Judge', similar to Ellen Degeneres' stint on American Idol in 2010.

Louis Tomlinson previously served as a mentor in 2015 helping Simon Cowell at the Judges' Houses stage, and he has since acted as a guest judge on America's Got Talent. Louis scored four UK Number 1s on both the Official Singles and Albums Charts as a member of One Direction.

Sharon Osbourne is also returning for this year's series, but will only act as a guest for the live shows. The X Factor 2018 will begin airing in August on ITV.

MORE: 10 mind-blowing Official Chart facts about The X Factor's biggest acts