When rumors emerged last week that Eurovision alumni and judges on the Serbian version of X Factor Zeljko Joksimovic and Kristina Kovac would be making an appearance on the UK X Factor final, we were all a little confused. Surely this has to be false?

Before becoming judges on the Serbian reality show, Zeljko Joksimovic represented his country at Eurovision in 2004 and 2012 while Kristina composed Serbia’s 2011 song “Caroban”. Originally, we’d all completely dismissed the X Factor story, until we saw these tweets…

“#onokad cu biti na Grand Finalu #XFactor UK u decembru #London #nevera:)” – Zeljko

Posto vidim da je kolega iz zirija vec objavio…da podelim….15. Decembra, Uk X factor finals, i ja prisutna. Nastupaju One direction….” – Kristina

Our translating skills aren’t brilliant, but it’s pretty clear that the twosome have been invited to the X Factor final on Saturday. Why? That isn’t so clear. Zeljko hasn’t got the best X Factor judging record and neither of them are established musicians in the UK.

It seems to us that the rumors are partly true. They WILL be attending the X Factor UK final, but we highly doubt we’ll see an appearance from them on TV. It’s quite a strange story, so we’ll have to wait to see if Simon Cowell has anything planned involving Zeljko and Kristina!

Update at 21:50 GMT on 9 December: Well, folks, it looks like UK Eurovision fans won’t get the chance to hear Zeljko sing. Apparently Zelj and Kris are just attending as observors and friends of the X Factor franchise. We hope they enjoy!

Katie Wilson contributed this story from the U.K. Follow her on Twitter at @katiewillfly and like our Facebook page to keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip.

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Anthony
Anthony
10 years ago

Besides Simona, considering the Eurovision Song Contest is treated negatively in the UK, would ITV really want to give these two with Eurovision reputation a mention?

Simona
Simona
10 years ago

This is really very mean article with incorrect info s. Why would be so strange for two well known composers with ESC reputation, especially Zeljko, to come and be a part of X factor show in London? Kristina spent years and years in UK, while Zeljko is composer with wide opus that is interesting for wide audience, and in UK. With their twitter comments they are showing how happy they are for the opportunity and also did some promotion for X factor in Serbia… And to add, Zeljko did not insult transgender contestant during the show as people who watched… Read more »

Arianna
10 years ago

Ahh, so they’re just attending. Though, I actually don’t find this weird… I watch So You Think You Can Dance & there are tons of cross overs from different countries’ show versions who either appear on the judging panel (well, moreso in the old days of the show for this), but they continue to appear as choreographers and contestants.

It is just cause they are under the same franchise that is X-Factor

eurovicious
10 years ago

This is standard practice for Syco shows. The hosts of Germany’s Got Talent have been seen in the audience of the BGT final before now, for instance. The UK shows are seen as the landmark versions, so staff (including hosts and jury members) from other European versions get schlepped to the finals to see how it’s done.

Mario
Mario
10 years ago

TRANSLATION:
Željko: #when you are in Grand final #x factor UK in December #London # storm (or infidelity – homonyms in Serbian)

Kristina:Since I saw that my fellow from jury announced…let me do the same…15th December,UK,x factor finale,I will be present…One direction performs

I doubt they will be surprise guests. They will probably be in the audience.

Anthony
Anthony
10 years ago

Hate to say this, but one of my fellow Eurovision fans says it’s a non-story. They are only invited to see the production, so they will not perform, nor appear on stage.