The X Factor start date has FINALLY been confirmed!

ITV have revealed that the new series of the TV talent show will launch next Saturday night, 18th August.

Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh will be back with a host of guest judges including Rita Ora, Leona Lewis and Geri Halliwell, as well as new permanent panel member Nicole Scherzinger.

The first episode will run for 75 minutes and will compete for viewers with a screening of Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, followed by a showing of The National Lottery: Secret Fortune on BBC1.

The first few shows will consist of prerecorded auditions, taped at large venues around the country and after a month proceedings will move on to the recently filmed bootcamp and then into judges’ houses which will take place later this month.

The ITV series will get a head start on their BBC rival and as usual Strictly Come Dancing will launch in mid September. Simon Cowell will no doubt be hoping that the few weeks of build up will help establish an audience for the series, and assist them in beating the dance show in the ratings battle.

Next Saturday will be a Cowell filled evening on ITV1, as The X Factor will be preceded and followed by the music mogul’s gameshow Red Or Black?, the evening will also feature an edition of The Jonathan Ross Show.

Cowell’s company SYCO tweeted today with the news, stating:

“SYCO_NEWS: X Factor’s back! Tune in at 8pm on Saturday 18th August”

Tulisa seems to be taking her role as a judge seriously and tweeted last night writing:

“Now is the time 2 focus & think about the journey ahead…it is a time of change…get ready….”

Are you excited about the new series? Leave your comments below…..