[LukeB]

Natalia Kills will be replaced on The X Factor NZ by former Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

Kills and her husband Willy Moon were fired from the show last weekend after their stinging criticism of contestant Joe Irvine provoked a widespread outcry, with broadcaster TV3 saying that their comments were "completely unacceptable"



Former Rogue Traders member Bassingthwaighte, who has four years' experience as a judge on the Australian version of X Factor, will mentor the boys. I Am Giant drummer Shelton Woolright completes the new judging panel, replacing Moon as mentor of the groups.

"I am thrilled to be joining the X Factor New Zealand family and I can't wait to begin mentoring my boys," said Bassingthwaighte on Thursday (March 19). "We are going to have so much fun, and I'm so excited to see their talents evolve.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I hope will see them through to the very end of the competition."
"I am absolutely stoked to be involved in X Factor NZ, and I'm especially looking forward to working with the groups," added Woolright.

"I've been working with labels, filmmakers and publishers as well as producing I Am Giant and other bands for years, and I can't wait to share my expertise with fresh eager minds. This is going to be awesome, and we are going to win!"

The duo join former Australian Idol winner Stan Walker and All Saints star Melanie Blatt at the X Factor NZ judges' table.

Kills responded to her exit from the show along with Moon yesterday, claiming that "there are many sides to this story" and wishing Irvine well.

She also denied suggestions that the entire episode had been a publicity stunt, saying: "I feel like everyone needs to put the idea of it being a manufactured conspiracy theory behind them, there's really nothing to it.

"I love my husband with all of my heart, we'll stick together no matter what."

Walker has said that Kills achieved "what she wanted to" after gaining global attention for her sacking, while Blatt also had some choice words for her former colleague.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...#ixzz3Ur7Bzy2Q
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook

[LeatherTrumpet]

I am only here for the Blatt

[Liam-]

I love Natalie

[JoshBB]

who?

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by JoshBB

who?

She was on Neighbours and she was also a part of Rogue Traders and she's been a judge on the Australian X Factor for 4 years