Rita Ora has publicly thanked X Factor boss Simon Cowell for her experience on the talent show

Rita Ora has publicly thanked X Factor boss Simon Cowell for her experience on the talent show, hours after it was revealed she had quit.

The singer pulled out of this year's talent show, alongside fellow judge Cheryl, and now she has promised to work with her boss again in the future - as she looked back on the memorable time.

She wrote on Twitter this morning: "I had a ball on @TheXFactor last year and will miss the team.

"@SimonCowell can't wait to work with you again... I'll be round for dinner soon. Thank you for the experience & love X."

The star's decision to quit the talent show means Simon will be the only returning judge from the four strong panel last year.

Rita, 25, has music commitments and has a part in the second Fifty Shades Of Grey movie.
She decided last week that doing The X Factor live shows and auditions would be too much.

The X Factor Final 2015

A show source said: “ Rita will not be taking part in the show, 2016 is going to be all about her music and her career and that doesn’t leave enough time for The X Factor and new talent.
“It means the judging panel will really be shaken up this year but after last year’s ratings that might be no bad thing.”

Rita had beginner's luck with Louisa but won't be returning

The news is a blow to Simon who had originally hoped Rita would return and was even prepared to let her miss one or two audition days to attend other planned music promotion and concerts if it meant she stayed on.
But in the end, Rita decided something had to give and that was the ITV show.


Back in December, Rita hinted she might not be returning to the show.
At the end of the last series when she won with singer Louisa Johnson, Rita said she didn’t know what she was doing next and then added: "As a new judge it's a good way to leave the show," suggesting she may bow out after just one series.

Rita had difficult moments on the panel with Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl and Simon Cowell

The news means the judging panel will well and truly be shaken up for 2016.

Last month Cheryl announced she was not returning to the series this year. In a statement she said: “I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on the X Factor .

“I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I’ve missed making music and am excited to be recording again.

Rita and Louisa during the X Factor final

Rita Ora will reprise her role as Mia - Christian Grey's sister in the sequels

“I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon, who I love to bits. I hope the show continues to produce stars and I wish them all the best.”

Nick Grimshaw is also not coming back, meaning the only returning member of the panel is Simon Cowell .
It is thought the former original show judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne could both return, whilst Nicole Scherzinger, who has also previously been on the panel, could make a comeback.

The show’s long-serving presenter Dermot O’Leary is back by popular demand for 2016 after having one year away from the ITV series.