Published Thursday, 21 February 2013
Ozzy Osbourne's wife quit the TV competition, which also features comedian Howie Mandel and shock jock Howard Stern on the panel, last year following a disagreement with bosses at NBC, the US 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."