Getting the gig as main presenter on The X Factor has many perks - but jetting off to four of the most lavish locations in the world for judges' houses is no longer one of them, as new co-presenters Caroline Flack and Olly Murs have discovered.
The next series, expected to start airing at the end of August, is the duo's first as main presenters of the contest following Dermot O'Leary's resignation earlier this year.
Unlike Dermot, they won't be joining judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw when they jet off for judges' houses round.
Instead, Strictly Come Dancing winner Caroline and pop star Olly will be in a London studio because bosses have decided the judges' houses will all take place live over one weekend.
This year's exotic locations are being kept under wraps for now, but last year saw Simon return to his LA mansion, where he was joined by Eighties pop star and good friend Sinitta, Cheryl roped in collaborator Tinie Tempah in Nice, Mel B enjoyed a mini Spice Girls reunion with Emma Bunton in Mexixo and Louis Walsh brought back former judge Tulisa in Bermuda.
A show insider told The Sun: “Olly and Caroline are gutted they won’t get to join the judges for this round.
“Being with the judges and contestants at this crucial stage is one of the best bits of the job. And it beats being stood in a studio in Wembley.”
Judges' Houses have typically been filmed over four weekends and edited together to air over just the one.
This year, locations will be determined based on UK-friendly time zones to make for a compatible live feed in mid-October.
The judges recently wrapped up the first round of auditions in London and will continue with boot camp in a few weeks.
