Rita Ora has revealed why she swapped The Voice for The X Factor – and said her decision was based on her work schedules.

The Poison singer is a new judge alongside Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell for the upcoming series of the ITV talent show, after being a coach on the 2014 series of BBC’s The Voice with Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson.

X Factor judges Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Visini and Rita Ora
X Factor judges Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Rita Ora (SYCO/Thames TV)

She was previously a guest judge on The X Factor in 2012.

“It’s nothing to do with any of the coaches personally. I love them all. But it’s definitely something to fit in with my timetable and my schedule. It just works for me, you know?” she said at the O2 Silver Clef Awards, where she picked up the Vevo Best Female prize.

“And that experience I had with The Voice is surreal.”

Rita Ora
Rita Ora (Ian West/PA)

The 24-year-old star, who is working on her second album, added: “I can’t wait to get started on The X Factor.”

The judges’ auditions kick off in Manchester on July 6 for four days, before heading down to London for seven days from July 14.

Rita remained tight-lipped over what viewers can expect from the show, teasing: “You’ll have to watch it – it’s going to be great though, it’s going to be fun. The most important thing is we find talent and we have fun, that’s all it is.”

The Voice judges Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Rita Ora and Ricky Wilson
Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am, Rita Ora and Ricky Wilson judged The Voice’s 2014 series (Ian West/PA)

Sir Tom Jones said he was not bitter over Rita’s departure from The Voice.

“There was no stopping her. She’s a lovely girl and I had a great time with her on The Voice. But things move on,” he said.

Aimee Jade Azari and Oritse Williams
Aimee Jade Azari and Oritse Williams (David Jensen/PA)

Former JLS singer Oritse Williams, who found fame on The X Factor in 2008, has only praise for the new X Factor judging panel.

“I think the new X Factor line-up is perfect,” he said.

“You’ve got a guy in there, Nick Grimshaw, who has radio experience and I think that adds an element to the judging panel, because he’s going to know what works on the radio. Rita’s good. She always does her thing. She was on The Voice and now she’s on The X Factor, and having that artist experience is great.”