<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Gary Barlow has confirmed that he is returning for a second series on The X Factor, admitting that he is &amp;quot;thrilled to be back&amp;quot; on the ITV1 talent show. The Take That star, who mentored Marcus Collins to the runner-up spot on last year&amp;#039;s show, is the first judge confirmed for the 2012 series.   &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;m thrilled to be back and really looking forward to working with the X Factor team again,&amp;quot; said Barlow.  &amp;quot;The fact that a superstar could just walk out on that stage is very exciting.&amp;quot; Show boss Simon Cowell claimed that Barlow has &amp;quot;earned his place&amp;quot; on the panel and said that was &amp;quot;excited&amp;quot; to be working alongside Barlow again. ITV&amp;#039;s director of television Peter Fincham said: &amp;quot;Gary quickly established himself as a key member of The X Factor judging panel, drawing on his years of experience in the music industry to help in the search for our undiscovered singing stars. &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;m thrilled to welcome him back to the biggest show on British television.&amp;quot; Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh are also expected to be back on the Saturday night show when it returns; however, Kelly Rowland&amp;#039;s spot on the panel appears to be hanging in the balance.  Richard Holloway from X Factor producers Thames said: &amp;quot;Gary brings his vast music expertise, his fabulous character and down-to-earth approach to the show and audiences adore him so we are absolutely delighted that he&amp;#039;s coming back.&amp;quot; X Factor&amp;#039;s open auditions tour around the UK has finished, although hopeful singers can still apply via Facebook until May 8. A new twist to the show&amp;#039;s format means that any artist or act, aged 16 or above, can apply for the show, even if they have a management deal. The three other judges will be announced soon ahead of the spring auditions tour. The X Factor will air again in the late summer on ITV1.  &amp;gt; Louis Walsh self-confirms his &amp;#039;X Factor&amp;#039; return  &amp;gt; Simon Cowell to be &amp;#039;Voice of God&amp;#039; via Skype for &amp;#039;X Factor&amp;#039; Watch Gary Barlow discuss his desire to return to The X Factor earlier this year below:  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-x-factor/news/a376981/gary-barlow-x-factor-return-confirmed-im-thrilled-to-be-back/>