Judging with Mel B

Dawn French is to be a judge on Australia's Got Talent.

She will join former Spice Girl Mel B on the panel when the show returns to the Nine network later this year.

The announcement came as something of a surprise, but the comedian previously proved a hit with viewers when she was a judge on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Superstar talent show on ITV last year.

Nine's head of television Michael Healy said: ‘We feel honoured to welcome superstar comedian Dawn French.

‘Dawn is widely recognised and adored by Australians and her contribution to the show will deliver on our promise for a bigger and better series.’

His channel snapped up the series after the rival Seven Network axed it in 2012.

Mel B is joining Australia's Got Talent after jumping ship from the Australian version of X Factor. Tipped to be her replacement is Dannii Minogue, who was formerly a judge on... Australia's Got Talent.

The other two AGT judges are yet to be announced.

Published: 18 Mar 2013