X Factor judge Louis Walsh has backed Mel B, as a temporary stand in for Dannii Minogue on this year’s series.

Dannii will miss the audition rounds of the show while she gives birth to her first baby and Louis Walsh thinks there can be no better replacement than former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.

He told The Sunday Mirror:

“Mel B would be perfect, a gorgeous, feisty woman from a successful girl band.

“That’s gonna put Cheryl’s nose out of joint and she’ll keep Simon in check.”

Louis also spilled the beans on how his colleagues stay looking their best. He added:

“The three people I work with are nipped and tucked and polished within an inch of their lives!

“Even Cheryl. That hair’s not real! Cheryl and Simon keep Estee Lauder in business.

“Dannii’s very clever with it… she looked great last year.”