Geri Halliwell is set to return to the X Factor judging panel for the first round of auditions in Liverpool tomorrow (May 23rd). The petite songstress known as ‘Ginger Spice’ will be sitting in as a guest judge alongside Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos, replacing Kelly Rowland who has not returned for this season.

When the news was announced, Halliwell commented on her return, “I'm incredibly excited and proud to join The X Factor in Liverpool and have the opportunity to find a new star, those four seats are the hottest seats in Britain right now and I hope to share all my experience and the ups and the downs of how to make it globally in the music industry with the contestants and I'm really looking forward to having a blast with Gary, Tulisa and the lovely Louis."



Geri last appeared on the X Factor in 2010 when she replaced Danni Minogue who was on maternity leave. Danni was rumoured to be returning to the panel this year but reportedly rejected a £1million offer. Geri’s last stint as a judge on the X Factor wasn’t overly successful with her receiving boos after rejecting an auditionee.



The 'Look At Me' star also appeared as a judge alongside Walsh on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, which discovered former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole and the rest of Girls Aloud.

Geri enjoyed six UK number one singles with the Spice Girls before quitting the band in 1998. She later forged a successful solo career, and more recently turned to writing, securing a six-book deal with Macmillan Children's Books in 2007.