As the nation embarks on another search for a Pop Idol, we talk to all four judges and find out what they'll be looking out for this year and whether they'll be able to keep themselves from coming to blows with one another.
Simon Cowell
Pete Waterman
Nicki Chapman
Dr Fox

Simon Cowell
Head of S Records and the man behind some of the biggest pop success stories of modern times.

What's it like to be back working with your fellow judges?
It's good. I've enjoyed it more than I thought. Because this is where we started and it's easy for me.

Have there been any arguments so far?
Yes, every day. But it means you like somebody if you're comfortable enough to have an argument, if that makes sense.

Who do you argue with?
Pretty much all of them actually. They all gang up on me, but that's all part of the fun, isn't it? You should be able to express your opinions.

Have you spotted anyone who you would like to be your Pop Idol yet?
I haven't seen a Gareth Gates yet, I've seen some good singers, and we're all aware that with the first English show and American show we didn't spot the winner until they made the top ten, so it will probably happen again this year. They suddenly just get great towards the end. We didn't spot Will on his first audition.

Have there been some awful people? People who haven't prepared?
Awful. Absolutely bloody awful, just useless, but you get that all over the world now. We live in a fame epidemic all over the world; it's like a disease. And 99% of the people who turn up are useless, they're just not aware of it. And that's the disease.

What's the difference between this year and last year talent wise?
Not much difference. I think the desire this year is stronger because they've seen what could happen to them if they won this competition.

Which songs are emerging as popular?
This is the boring part of the show. You just hear the same bloody songs over and over again. Up in the north we're hearing a lot of Justin Timberlake, which is a mistake. There's only one Justin Timberlake and it's a performance thing, so it's a mistake. They just can't do it and it looks ridiculous.

What song would you perform if you were auditioning?
It's just about finding a song that suits you. And try and choose a song where you don't copy the original that much. It's a difficult question to answer that one.

What do you think about America talent versus UK talent?
Where I don't see a huge difference is in the guys, but I do think the America girls tend to be better than the English girls. Although I am seeing an improvement in the English girls this time around. I've seen a couple of English girls who are very, very good. Certainly much, much better than we saw in the first series.

Have you got a top tip for a wannabe?
Firstly you have to rehearse. Secondly, you have to believe you are a star. And thirdly, don't impersonate people.

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.

Pete Waterman
One of the most influential figures in the British music industry, Pete Waterman revolutionised pop music in the 80's when he joined forces with Mike Stock and Matt Aitken.

What's it like to be working with your fellow judges again?
It's good, yes. It worked the first time, and it's certainly the same now. It's not just the judges, it's the crew and Ant and Dec. It's a team, and like any good team it works. And when it works it's great to be back.

Any arguments so far?
Not any more than usual with Simon. You don't have an argument with Simon. He has an opinion and it's not the same as yours. I don't know whether that constitutes an argument. It's been 30 years and I've never known him any different.

Are any songs emerging as popular ones this year?
There are some unusual popular songs this year. For some unknown reason and it might be down to American Idol, but Lionel Ritchie has become a popular one. Why people sing Lionel Ritchie baffles me.

Which regional audition have you enjoyed most?
Glasgow. I thought it was great, Glasgow was fun. I had 14 gin and tonics so I didn't remember much the next day. We were all in a good mood in Glasgow. We bounced, and I think when you bounce it works.

What's the difference between this year and last year talent wise?
I think the talent is definitely better this year. There's a much higher standard although some days were more exciting than others.

Have you spotted anyone who could be the 'Idol' yet?
There's been a couple of really outstanding ones, people who've walked through the door and you can just tell, they've got it, they're a natural star. There was a lad yesterday (Manchester audition) he had no idea who the song was by or why he'd chosen it but he was a real natural, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

You've all been away working on other projects and come back with new experiences. Do you think it may be different this time around?
No, I hope not. When you've been on the most successful TV show you want it to be exactly the same. It wasn't scripted or written. And there's enough real life incidents in this show to not worry that someone's going to do something bloody stupid! I think they should film the rehearsals because some of the best parts people never saw.

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.

Nicki Chapman
Nicki started her career in the music industry as a publicist. She's plugged the likes of Annie Lennox, Take That, M People, Kylie Minogue, Van Morrison, S Club 7 and The Spice Girls. For the past eight years, she's worked with former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and has now joined the 19 Group of Companies where she is Creative Director.

What's it like to be working with your fellow judges again?
It's great. I can't believe it's been nearly two years since we did the first auditions. But it's great fun to be back on the road. And nobody has changed

But you've been working hard and doing lots of different things?
Yes, I think everybody's been doing different things. I'm still working at 19 with Simon Fuller. I've been presenting for BBC1 as well, which is fantastic.

How are you getting on with the judges so far? Have there been any arguments?
Definitely. We had an argument about a chap who wasn't particularly good looking but had the most amazing voice. We've also argued about various shapes and sizes, whether they should go through because they do have amazing voices, whether or not they have a commercial enough look. Yesterday Simon Cowell agreed with me which, I think, is a first.

Have you spotted anyone that you would like to be your idol yet?
I don't know. I'm not sure yet to be honest. We've seen some brilliant talent. But people change. And normally people who you think have been amazing, we've since found out aren't always. Who would have thought Darius would have come third? Who knows? But I think it's better than the first series. There are more characters and more variety and some great singers.

I suppose you see all different types of talent coming through wanting to be seen?
Yes, it's not just pop that we've seen, we've seen different genres of music as well, which is great. It's not so out and out boy band looking types.

Are there any songs emerging as popular ones?
Oleta Adams, Stevie Wonder and Ronan Keating. There are very, very few current pop songs, which says a lot about the current state of the pop industry. They're nearly all older tunes. Anything that's been in the last ten years. We're not seeing a lot from the last two years.

Do you think being a judge may be different this time around now you've got experience? I think it's a lot harder this time round. We've seen so many people now and we've raised our game and expect them to do the same.

Any favourite and worst moments so far?
I think one of the funniest ones was a guy called Chris Neville Smith, a professor, a real boffin, or spod as Neil calls him. He's just finished his PhD and he's an eccentric but brilliant entertainment. He has to be one of my favourites for the wrong reasons!

What's the difference talent wise between this year and last year?
I think we're seeing better talent through the doors actually. People have realised that we're looking for someone really special, and the standard has definitely gone up.

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.

Neil Fox
Foxy is one of the nations most popular DJ's best known for hosting the HIT40UK on commercial radio nation-wide. If anyone knows the ingredients for a number one artist, it's Foxy.

What's it like to be back working with your fellow judges again?
It really is great fun. We had a great time last time. People said to me, 'Was it really fun?' and I have to say 'Yes'. We all get on very, very well. We don't always agree, but it's been a blast! There's a comfort factor. We know it worked last time and it's working well again this time. We're all very different people but we know our stuff and it just works.

Tell us about some argument...
Arguments always happen. We're all very different people and everyone's got a valid view and we can't all agree. No one is necessarily right and no one is wrong. I may see what someone else doesn't see. But between us we have something like 100 years experience in music and entertainment and know what we are on about. It is why contestants may hate us sometimes but hopefully always respect our opinions. But sometimes Pete goes totally mad and Simon goes way over the line and they need to be told so! Mind you I dig myself into some deep holes as well and they love to make it worse for me.

Do you think you've seen your Pop Idol yet?
We may have done. I think last time we were a bit more sure. But if we are honest I only really remembered Gareth because he was the cute kid with the good voice who had the terrible stammer. Will only made it through because we were down on guys. He did a very lacklustre audition and he looked like a total scruff. But he could obviously sing as the show went on he just got better and better. So you can't always judge the book by its cover.

Do you think the talent is better or worse this year?
I've got to be honest; it's quite hard because one day ends up blurring into the next. We've seen some very good people, and we've seen some unbelievable crud, and we've seen some real characters. And you need all of that to make this a great TV show.

Have you noticed any popular songs emerging?
Yes, it's really weird. But one song that people are singing - and they all seem to be about 18 or 19 - is Carole King's You've Got a Friend. And we're trying to work out whether it's part of the national curriculum or whether people doing music studies have been studying Carole King. It's weird that all these people are turning up and singing this song. It's a song from the 70's before these people were even born. A lot of guys are attempting Justin Timberlake songs as well?.bad mistake but wicked TV!

Have you seen any really bad performances so far?
Oh yes, many actually. Truly astounding bad ones! I'd prefer to say "entertainingly bad" because they've been nice people though.

If you were auditioning, what song would you sing?
One of my favourite artists was Elvis Presley. Now he was a true Pop Idol. A total superstar. I would love to try and do one of his songs but I know I would be shite! I would give a great performance but I can't sing?.that's why I am involved in the making of hits rather than singing them!

Catch Pop Idol on Saturday evenings on ITV1 and ITV2.