Nicole Scherzinger thinks Sharon Osbourne is her "strongest competition".

Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger

The 38-year-old singer - who has returned to 'The X Factor' this year after previously judging the talent show for two series in 2012 and 2013 - is set to mentor the Boys in this year's show, but is wary the Overs will give her and her singers a run for their money.

Speaking on 'This Morning' on Friday (30.09.16), the 'Right There' hitmaker said: "My strongest competition is Mrs O's category, which is the Overs - they have some really strong, heavy hitters and big voices. People who are really experienced."

Although the brunette beauty has admitted she feels slightly threatened by the red-headed judges artists, she "definitely thinks" she has the winner among her soloists.

She said: "[But] I definitely think I could possibly have the winner here!" Before adding, "I think I have at least one or two stars."

And the former Pussycat Dolls band member has admitted the judges' houses is her "least favourite part" of filming 'The X Factor', because she "dreads" having to whittle down her group by half.

She explained: "This is my least favourite part. This is where I forget the gorgeous view and I'm dreading having to send more than half of my boys home."

Meanwhile Nicole, who mentored presenter Rylan Clark-Neal in the ninth season of the show in 2012 and took him through to the live stage, has admitted the 'Up Late With Rylan' host wasn't the "strongest" singer she took through, but decided to take him through to the next round because he had the "'it' factor".

She explained: "Back in the day, when I had him for my boys category... he didn't have the strongest vocals, but there was something about him. He had that 'it' factor, the X Factor and he's a star and people love him. He's a natural and he's lots of fun."