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RITA Ora has pulled out of The X Factor just weeks before filming begins on the new series.

Her decision means that only show guru Simon Cowell remains from last year’s line up.

Rita, 25, faces a flood of other offers as she nears the end of a bitter contract wrangle.

Last night an X Factor source revealed: “Losing Rita is a huge blow – she’s one of the biggest stars in the country and Simon wanted her to return.

“She was very keen to do the show but at the end of the day it didn’t work out with her other commitments around the world in music and acting.

“It means we’re going to have to go through the biggest shake-up in the history of X Factor, but maybe it will turn out for the best.”

The Sun revealed long-time judge Cheryl, 32, is also quitting. Fellow judge Nick Grimshaw, 31, and presenting pair Olly Murs, 31, and Caroline Flack, 36, are also out.

Louis Walsh, 63, will return to the judging panel, while Dermot O’Leary, 42, is signed to make a comeback as host.

Cowell, 56, is desperate for original panellist Sharon Osbourne, 63, to come back too.

Former judge Nicole Scherzinger, 37, who was pushed from the show two years ago, is a possibility — but she has also been in talks about starring in the Broadway version of Cats.

Another axed judge, Spice Girl Mel B, 40, is also a contender after impressing Simon during their month together on the America’s Got Talent.

Rita replaced Mel on a big money one-year contract after Cowell poached her from BBC rival The Voice.

She is now close to ending her dispute with her record label – Jay Z’s company Roc Nation — which sued her for £1.66million earlier this year.

Last night a source close to Rita said: “She has a huge amount of respect for Jay Z. She credits him with helping to launch her career. But it’s the right time to move on.”

That will allow her to sign a new global deal with rival company Warner, which will see her begin work on a new album after she finishes filming 50 Shades Darker in Vancouver, Canada.

The source added: “Music is Rita’s number one passion and the new record deal which she is in the final stages of agreeing will enable her to finally release new music

“Her plan is to record immediately, have music released for later this year and then tour the album.

“That means Rita is unable to do X Factor this year.

“Rita loved working with Simon and learned a lot from him. She hopes they’ll work together again in the future.

“But it’s just not logistically possible as Rita’s music and film career is now taking up the rest of her year.”

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-X-Factor.html

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