The final episode of The X Factor: Celebrity airs tonight.

But fans of the singing reality TV show won't have to wait too long until the series returns, as The X Factor: The Band begins next month. The first episode of the series - which will see Simon Cowell trying to discover the next big boy band or girl group - will air on Monday, December 9. Nicole Scherzinger will be joining Cowell as a judge on the series, with other industry experts helping them. According to The Sun, the music mogul will be looking for the next One Direction. Meanwhile, Nicole is said to be searching for a group like The Pussycat Dolls. “Simon and Nicole are already winding each other up about who’ll pick the best band and the judges won’t hold back with their opinions during the auditions," an insider told the publication. “It will be like a throwback to the old days where they’ll say what they really think — even if it comes across as harsh. There won’t be any time for wasters.” It's going to be a very, very short season of The X Factor, though. The publication report that The X Factor: The Band will be four episodes long - including the live finale on December 15.