Olly Murs and Caroline Flack are to host Xtra Factor

Olly Murs and Caroline Flack were photographed at Birmingham auditions

Former X Factor star Olly Murs and TV presenter Caroline Flack have been confirmed as the hosts of this year's Xtra Factor.

The show is broadcast on ITV2 after The X Factor with behind the scenes footage and interviews with contestants.

The news was confirmed on the official X Factor Twitter feed late last night.

On the social networking site, Olly Murs said: "I'm confirmed on Xtra Factor! Co-hosting it! Proper excited! Off for auditions in Birmingham! NOW!!"

Caroline Flack also tweeted the news: "Here in Birmingham! Met the lovely Kelly and Tulisa. Gonna be a exciting day tommorow..great to see dermot...bring on day 1.

"It does mean I'm sadly leaving the jungle. But had two fab years with the best team and only have incredible memories!! Xxxxx."

Auditions

Since finishing second on The X Factor in 2009, Olly Murs has released his self-titled debut album with lead single Please Don't Let Me Go making it to number one in the singles chart.

Caroline Flack, 31, hosted Gladiators and the I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here! spin-off show Now from 2008 to 2010.

It had been previously reported that Radio 1 DJ and entertainment correspondent Matt Edmondson was taking over from former presenter Konnie Huq.

Matt Edmondson jokingly said on Twitter last night: "Got my bag packed, train tickets booked to Birmingham, copy of Simon's autobiography! Can't wait!... What's that you say? OLLY MURS?!??!?!"

The main X Factor show is still hosted by Dermot O'Leary with Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos confirmed as this year's judges.

Cheryl Cole, who was axed from Simon Cowell's US version of the X Factor days after she started, is not returning.

The first audition for this year's show is today in Birmingham.

It'll then visit Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, London and Liverpool.