Shaggy tipped to be new X Factor host

August 5, 2015 News Room

Following announcements that Peter Dickson was leaving his role as announcer for the popular talent show, ‘The X Factor’, at least two of the judges already have a replacement in mind, and reggae star Shaggy is the man they have suggested to take over.

Dickson made the announcement on Tuesday via Twitter, stating that after 11 years with ‘The X Factor’ it was time for him to “check out and cut loose”. However, by Wednesday morning the Boombastic singer was making headlines across the Web for being named by two of the show’s judges as a possible replacement.

Nick ‘Grimmy’ Grimshaw, a new addition to the judging line-up, made the suggestion on television on Wednesday morning. Talking to Lorraine Kelly on her early-morning ITV show, the BBC Radio 1 host said: “I thought Shaggy could replace him. I thought that’d be nice don’t you think?” Two out of three of his co-judges, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Rita Ora, are on board with the idea. Ora said Shaggy would be “great” and Fernandez-Versini agreed that it was a “great idea”.

However, Simon Cowell, head of the panel, is yet to offer an opinion on Grimmy’s idea.

Although some of the judges on the show seem to be all for the idea, fans of the show were not as open. Commenting on the Daily Mail‘s version of the story, one fan said the suggestion was a ridiculous idea, while others blasted Grimmy and the other judges for even thinking Shaggy would make a good replacement.

While some fans of the show are clearly upset with the idea, at least one UK magazine has supported the suggestion. In an article surrounding the issue, UK’s Now Magazine gave five reasons Shaggy would make a good replacement, stating that his voice is just as memorable, distinct and recognizable as Dickson’s.

‘The X Factor’ will return later this year on ITV.

shereita.grizzle@gleanerjm.com