Chic's Nile Rodgers is set to replace Robbie Williams as a judge on The X Factor.
The musician will sit in for the former Take That member, who is missing three of the ITV talent show's live episodes for gigs that were pre-arranged ahead of him signing up to the show.
To account for Williams's tour, The X Factor will pre-record this Saturday's live show for the first time in its 11-year history. He's performing shows in Chile, Mexico and Buenos Aires.
According to reports, plans to bring back former judge Sharon Osbourne were scrapped after a foul-mouthed interview which saw her accuse Simon Cowell of "underpaying" her.
“Nile met Robbie’s contestants on Tuesday and will be present at the studio on Saturday during filming before keeping his seat warm on Sunday’s show,“ a source said.
“Robbie has been very on hand so far this series, but he is unlikely to be able to return over the next few weeks for rehearsals. Nile is already on hand to oversee the groups and give them the benefit of his expertise in the meantime.”
The X Factor will resume live broadcast on Sunday with Rodgers in Williams's seat. He'll return the following weekend, but it's unknown whether the guitarist will come back for the third weekend of the singer's absence.
This year's judging panel is completed by Cowell, Louis Tomlinson and Williams's wife, Ayda Field.
