Prepare yourself for like, the BEST news ever! Yes, gorgeous Gary Barlow will be returning to the Judging panel for the ninth series of The X Factor!

Having successfully mentored his acts through last year’s competition AND taken Marcus Collins to the live final at Wembley Arena, Gary is back and ready to search for the next generation of talent.

He told us: “I'm thrilled to be back and really looking forward to working with The X Factor team again. The fact that a superstar could just walk out on that stage is very exciting.”

And the big-man himself, Simon Cowell is looking forward to having Gary back as much as us. He told us:  “It’s great to be able to confirm our first Judge for this year’s show. Gary has earned his place and I’m excited to be working with him again.”

The series returns to ITV1, ITV2 and itv.com later in the summer of 2012.