<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Ul> <Li> ◀ </Li> <Li> 2015 </Li> <Li> ▶ </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> ◀ </Li> <Li> 2015 </Li> <Li> ▶ </Li> </Ul> <P> The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent . The twelfth series began airing on ITV on 29 August 2015 and ended on 13 December 2015 . The judges were Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez - Versini, who returned for their respective ninth and fifth series as judges, series 9 guest judge and former The Voice UK coach Rita Ora, and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, with Grimshaw and Ora replacing Louis Walsh, the only judge who had been on the show from its inception in 2004, and Mel B. It was presented by Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, who had both previously co-presented spin - off show The Xtra Factor on ITV2 and replaced Dermot O'Leary, who left after eight series . Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom presented The Xtra Factor, replacing Sarah - Jane Crawford . Louisa Johnson was announced as the winner on 13 December 2015, making Ora the winning mentor . </P> <P> In March 2015, Simon Cowell was confirmed to return as a judge for the twelfth series, his ninth on the show . In April 2015, Louis Walsh cited his desire to quit the show and return to management, and that it would take serious thought for him to return for series 12 . He also revealed that he was in the dark about whom Cowell had the intentions of bringing onto the panel . On 14 May 2015, Walsh confirmed his exit from the show after 11 series on the judging panel, stating, "The truth is I've done it for 11 years; I never thought I would even be on TV for four or five . To get 10 was great, to get 11 was amazing - I'm not hanging around for them this year ." He later continued, "But I wasn't sacked, I haven't been hired and I'm not hanging around ." On 16 June, Cheryl Fernandez - Versini was confirmed to be returning for her fifth series followed by new judges, series 9 guest judge and The Voice UK coach Rita Ora, and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, replacing Walsh and Mel B, who left the show after only one series . The new judges were met with widespread negativity across social media and the press, especially regarding the appointment of Grimshaw . </P>

Who are the judges on x factor uk 2015