X Factor 2016: Nicole Scherzinger plants a kiss on Simon Cowell at Manchester auditions

The former Pussycat Doll put on an affectionate display on the red carpet
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Emma Powell13 June 2016
The Weekender

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Nicole Scherzinger made sure to show her appreciation for being back on the X Factor by giving Simon Cowell a kiss on the red carpet.

Scherzinger, 37, planted a kiss on Cowell’s cheek as the pair prepared for the second round of auditions in Manchester.

The former Pussycat Doll looked stunning in a black mini dress as she also put on an affectionate display for waiting fans who she blew kisses to and posed for selfies with.

Cowell – who opted for his signature sunglasses – and Scherzinger were also joined by their fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

Osbourne looked fresh faced despite marking Black Sabbath’s last performance at Download Festival over the weekend.

The US TV favourite struck an ‘X’ pose with her arms as she made her way into the Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Walsh attempted to go incognito as he worked the cameras while wearing a mask of his own face.

The foursome have reunited for this year’s series of the ITV show after Cheryl, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw announced they were stepping down earlier this year.

Walsh recently revealed that he was critical of last year’s judging panel and told Cowell that he had shook up the show “too much”.

He said: “I think being away from the show for a year was a really good thing for me.

“Ratings weren’t good, so I knew watching the first show it wasn’t going to work.

“I called Simon really late at night, and said, ‘You’ve messed with it too much. It’s not working.’ He didn’t say anything for a second, and then he said ‘Maybe you’re right’.”

X Factor returns to ITV later this year.

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