There surely wouldn’t be enough chairs for them if Simon Cowell did ask, but nevertheless One Direction (as a unit) have denied reports they are being lined up to be judges on The X Factor.

Simon has said he will be finalising the judging panel for this year’s series, and both Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan are among the bookmakers’ favourites to take the roles alongside the likes of Nick Grimshaw, Robbie Williams and Rita Ora.

Rita Ora
Rita Ora was also at Capital’s Summertime Ball (Yui Mok/PA)

But Louis brushed away rumours at Capital’s Summertime Ball with Vodafone.

He said: “I’ve got a tour to do so unfortunately not.”

Niall also denied the stories, saying: “I’ll be the worst judge ever. I’ll be terrible.”

Simon has said he will make his decision in coming days as the first X Factor audition takes place tomorrow.

“I’d like to get it done this week if I can,” he said this Wednesday.

Simon Cowell
Who’s Simon saying “Yes” to? (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Little Mix, who won the ITV show in  2011, weighed in on the debate, saying they would like their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos to reprise her role.

Jesy Nelson said: “We are all team Tulisa and Chezza.” (Referring, of course, to Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.)

Cheryl’s fate is still up in the air, while Louis Walsh and Mel B have already said they will not be returning.

Jesy’s Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock added: “We are going to miss Louis. He’s such a big part of the show so it will be weird seeing him go.”

Little Mix
Little Mix know who they’re backing (Yui Mok/PA)

Olly Murs, who is taking over from Dermot O’Leary to co-host The X Factor with Caroline Flack, said there are “big” changes in store for the show, with the room auditions being axed.

“Simon is pulling out all the stops this year,” he said.

“The format’s changing, the judges and hosts have changed and the whole show itself is going to change so it’s going to be exciting.

“I’m excited because the boot camps are changing, judges’ houses are changing, the live shows are going to be different. It’s going to be something new for everyone.”

Olly Murs
We’ve got our suspicions that Mr Murs already knows – but he’s keeping it on the DL (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

But even he is in the dark over Simon’s decision for the judging panel in the upcoming series, which will return to screens later this year.

“I’ve been quizzing everyone to try find out who’s doing it,” he said.

“I was with Robbie a few weeks ago and tried to get him to do it but he wouldn’t. Whoever we get in is going to be great.”

The Heart Skips A Beat singer added: “We want people who are going to be fun on the panel with big, strong personalities so I’m hoping Simon will get the right team.”