Just eight months after he was unveiled as an X Factor judge, Nick Grimshaw has announced he is leaving the show.

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Rumours had been circulating of behind-the-scenes disagreements between Grimshaw and boss Simon Cowell but – breaking the news on his Radio 1 breakfast programme – Grimshaw claimed there was “no bad blood” between himself and Cowell or his fellow judges Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Rita Ora, but that he was keen to get back to being an X Factor viewer once more.

“This is not a diss to the show – this is not me storming out of X Factor going 'Screw you Cheryl!' – it's a great show and I loved it. But it's definitely a once in a lifetime style thing," said Grimshaw.

“I loved Simon, I love Cheryl, I love Rita I love everyone who worked on it… the mentoring stuff I really really loved there’s no bad blood I just wanna watch it on the telly."

A spokesperson for Grimshaw confirmed that his decision to leave was made at Christmas, immediately after the 2015 series had ended.

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"After careful consideration, Nick has decided to rule himself out as a judge on this year’s X Factor. He loved working on last year’s series alongside Rita, Cheryl and Simon but it was very much a once in a lifetime experience. He remains a massive fan of the show and is looking forward to watching it this year."

An X Factor spokesperson said in a statement: "Nick was a great mentor on last year’s series. He did a fantastic job with the boys’ category and we’d like to thank him for all his hard work. We are sad to see him go but wish him all the best."

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As to who's in the frame to replace Grimshaw, early chatter suggests One Direction's Louis Tomlinson could be returning to the show that launched his career – a move that wouldn't be unprecedented following former contestant Olly Murs signing on as a presenter last year.

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