Melanie Brown replaces Sharon Osbourne as America's Got Talent judge

Former Spice Girls singer Melanie Brown has been unveiled as Sharon Osbourne's replacement as a judge on America's Got Talent.

Ozzy Osbourne's wife quit the TV competition, which also features comedian Howie Mandel and shock jock Howard Stern on the panel, last year (12) following a disagreement with bosses at NBC, the network behind the show.

Brown, who previously appeared on Dancing with the Stars and worked as a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor, has now signed up to take over Osbourne's chair, and TV bosses are convinced contestants will benefit from her "constructive feedback".

Paul Telegdy of NBC tells Entertainment Weekly, "I've known Melanie since she did Dancing with the Stars, and I've known her as a performer in the Spice Girls before that. To know her is to know a very frank, strong, enduring entertainer.

"Someone who has a very strong point of view. We needed somebody who was qualified for the job. She's an amazing singer, dancer and a huge personality. The contestants will get a lot of constructive feedback from her and I can't wait to see her chemistry with Howard and Howie."