Gary Barlow has revealed that he would love to be crowned winning X Factor mentor - but added that Sharon Osbourne is going to be tough to beat.
The Take That singer will choose his final three groups during the judges' houses shows this weekend, when all 12 finalists will be revealed.
And he told the Mirror: "I would love to win, but there is a long way to go yet. Sharon really believes she's got the winner!"
He added: "I do think I've got a winner. But it is hard to predict because once you hit live shows it is like a different beast.
"It gets very competitive and some people take on that pressure and make it positive, but for others it just doesn’t work.
"It probably will be competitive but in a nicer way than it's been before! I can't wait."
Sharon will be mentoring this year's over 25s category, while Louis is looking after the boys and Nicole Scherzinger has the girls.
Saturday's show will see the final 24 being put through their paces at the judges houses' in New York, Los Angeles, Antigua and St Tropez - before the line-up for the live shows is chosen.
The X Factor will kick off on ITV at 8pm on Saturday night, with Sunday's show at the earlier time of 7.10pm.
