‘The X Factor UK’ Judge Mel B To Miss Grand Finale; Ex-Judge Tulisa Contostavlos Filling In

“The X Factor UK” will be missing Mel B in its series 11 grand finale after the Spice Girl was rushed to the hospital on Thursday night over a “serious” mystery illness. Former judge Tulisa Contostavlos took her seat on the panel on Saturday, and is expected to again fill in for Mel on Sunday.

Mel was admitted to the hospital on Thursday, hoping to be back just in time for the reality competition show’s grand finale. However, it appears she will also be missing out on Sunday. Her ailment hasn’t been revealed to the public, but whatever it is, it’s stopping the 39-year-old songstress from attending the show. Her rep said her condition is “serious.”

While she was out, her surviving contestant, Andrea Faustini, was unfortunately eliminated on Saturday, leaving Simon Cowell’s Fleur East and Ben Haenow to battle it out for the crown.

“Late last night, we got the news that Mel will be unable to join us due to illness. She’s gutted,” presenter Dermot O’Leary said in the show, adding that they all wished her a speedy recovery. Her fellow judges, Simon, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Louis Walsh expressed their concern over Mel’s condition.

“Everyone is worried about Mel. Simon has been in constant contact with her husband [Stephen Belafonte],” a source told Mirror, explaining that Mel couldn’t use her phone so Simon had to ask Stephen for updates on her condition. “Simon has admitted being very, very worried about Mel. She is such a livewire – everyone is really stunned at how quickly this illness took hold of her. Simon is in shock – we are all in shock.”

Tulisa, who was a judge on the show from 2011 to 2012, also sent flowers for Scary Spice to the hospital. With Mel still in the hospital, Tulisa will remain in the panel as her stand-in.