Rumours have been circulating about who will take Paula Abdul’s place on the American X Factor since the end of last season. The new line-up of judges has finally been announced and includes pop princess Britney Spears.

Along with music mogul Simon Cowell, Spears is joined by music producer LA Reid and American teen sensation Demi Lovato, who gained fame from her ‘Camp Rock’ series of films with Disney.



The news was announced on Monday during an event for X Factor's potential advertisers. "I'm ready to find a true star," Spears told the crowd. "It's going to be so much fun and so different than anything I've ever done."



Despite the UK X Factor's domestic television and chart dominance, the programme's American version got off to a rocky start last autumn. Judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul were sacked following a disappointing first season, and everyone from Whitney Houston to Miley Cyrus had been discussed as possible replacements. Spears was rumoured to have been offered $15m (£9.4m) a year to take the job, eclipsing the $10m (£6.2m) payday of her former rival, Christina Aguilera, who is a judge for The Voice.



Lovato, who is 19, becomes the youngest judge of any televised music competitions in the US. "I'm totally stoked to be here," Lovato said. "It's just an honour to be standing next to Britney Spears. I'm excited to represent my generation, and I'm ready to find the winner."