Robbie Williams shows he has still got The X Factor this weekend as he dominates the new look show.
Simon Cowell’s ITV hit begins it’s 15th series on Saturday with a new look judging line-up.
The former Take That singer leaves his new boss in the shade as he gets the most screen time, performs an impromptu duet and even gets the most laughs.
One Direction pop hunk Louis Tomlinson, 26, barely gets much coverage as Robbie is the clear stand out star.
And it is a far cry from the cliched judging responses of Louis Walsh last year.
Talking about Robbie, Simon tells the cameras: “Robbie’s incredibly smart.
“Having him sitting there for a lot of the artists who come out, bearing in mind how well he’s done over the years, they must be thinking, ‘That’s what I want!’.”
When he was officially announced as a judge with wife Ayda also on the panel Robbie, 44, joked there were “millions of reasons” he joined the show this year.
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Although the deal for him and Ayda is thought to have cost up to £10million ITV bosses are getting their money’s worth from the singing sensation.
They hope viewers will be hooked on his antics and boost ratings as you witness his dad dancing, smooching with Ayda and his no nonsense put downs.
He starts by telling contestants: “Give me personality or there’s zero point in turning up”, and that’s exactly what bosses are counting on from their star signing as well.
Robbie tells one dodgy boy band called No Label: “You’re called No Label but I think there should be an identity, you have no identity and I don’t know if you’ll get one.”
And a hippy act who brought dancers with her on stage also got the thumbs down, with Robbie telling them: “That was more Cirque de no-way!”
Robbie then battles back tears when Livin’ Joy singer Janice Robinson, 50, takes to the stage to perform her club classic Dreamer.
She released the song in 1995 when Robbie had just split from Take That and was heavily into drink and drugs.
Hinting at his past problems, he tells Janice: “I could cry but I’ll try not to because I’m on the TV.
“Your voice and your song has been a major part of the soundtrack to my life.
“I was transported to a time, to a person I used to be, they were incredible times for me but messy times.”
But bosses save the best for last as for the climax of the show fans will be treated to a mini Robbie concert when he takes to the stage to perform his hit single Angels with Take That superfan Andy Hofton.
He even gets X Factor supremo Simon to sing and dance on the judging panel alongside Louis and Ayda.
Robbie ends his X Factor debut singing backstage: “I love this job, making dreams come true, but crushing a few. It’s my job, I love this job!”
*The X Factor returns to ITV on Saturday and Sunday at 8pm
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