[Denver]

Saara Aalto has proven such a hit following The X Factor that Finland has revived its version of the talent contest - and hired her as a judge.


Saara was the comeback kid on The X Factor UK last year, finishing in the bottom three in the first two weeks of live shows - before viewers eventually voted her the runner-up.

Her journey was followed closely in her native Finland, where the grand final was watched by around a quarter of the population.

She returned there to a hero's welcome, and in April she performed her first ever arena concert in Helsinki.

Now Saara's success has helped her own country's version of the show get back on the air.

Finnish broadcaster MTV (which is not related to the Viacom-owned MTV brand) today announced it is reviving The X Factor Suomi, which previously ran for a single series in 2010.

And what's more, she will be one of its four judges.

Having teased a 'big announcement', Saara confirmed the news on her Facebook page today.

She wrote: "When I auditioned the X Factor UK last May, I never thought I'd end up being a judge on the X Factor Finland only a year later!

"I know what it takes to go through a competition like this, so I'm gonna give my all to the contestants and share them my experience!"

Saara's new role has come as she works on her major label debut album.

She has signed a deal with Sony Music, and is expected to release the record - which could include a track penned by Sia - in November.

http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv...k-success.html