X Factor: The Band first look as Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell judge hopefuls

X Factor: The Band auditions first look as hopefuls, including reality star Tallia Storm, aim to impress judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger are set to return to ITV as judges on The X Factor : The Band – where either a girl group or boy band will battle it out to be crowned the nation’s new pop sensations.

They will be in good company along the likes of Little Mix, One Direction and Fifth Harmony.

Acts discovered on The X Factor since it began have sold more than 400 million records worldwide.

The show, which starts on Monday 9th December, will take The X Factor back to its roots as hopefuls will audition in Simon's office.

They will be selected by Simon, who has mentored a host of successful bands, and Nicole, who stars in The Pussycat Dolls, who recently reunited.

In the line up is Tallia Storm, 21, who has already had a solo singing career and starred on E4's Celebs Go Dating.

She told MailOnline she was keen for the experience of being in a band, and by the looks of the photos she sang her heart out.

The judges will be assisted by industry stars including X Factor winner Leona Lewis, Brit Award winner Ella Eyre, and producer Naughty Boy, who has had hits with Beyonce .

Host Dermot O'Leary will return to give moral support to the auditionees and their families.

Those who get through the first audition will be thrown in at the deep end as they will next audition in front of millions in Birmingham.

The judges will be joined again by Leona and Ella as well as artists Carla Williams, Lil' Eddie and Fred Ball.

It will be here that both the boy and girl band will be created by the judges – before the two groups go head to head in a live final.

The successful band will win the prize of a life-changing record contract.

Dermot says he can’t wait for viewers to see The X Factor: The Band.

He said: " Simon and the show have discovered some of the biggest pop groups in recent music history.

"One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix – they’re all stars and have sold millions of records.

“In previous years, you've seen the judges put individual singers in a group - usually with their decision making and reasoning off camera, but this time people will get to see the process take place.

“The judges will select girls and boys to form new bands just like they did with One Direction and Little Mix and then both will go head to head to be crowned the winning group with a live arena finale in Birmingham.”

* The X Factor: The Band launches on ITV on Monday December 9 at 8.30pm and continues on Wednesday December 11 and Friday December 13, both at 8.30pm