Konnie Huq revealed as ITV2's Xtra Factor host

Former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq is the new presenter of ITV2's spin off show The Xtra Factor, it has been announced.

The 34-year-old, who hosted the BBC children's show for 11 years, will take over from Holly Willoughby.

A statement on The X Factor website said the star is "well equipped to take on the mayhem and madness of the audition tour."

Huq said she is "delighted" to join the show and she "can't wait" to start.

As well as Willoughby, who now co-presents This Morning, previous hosts of the show have included Ben Shephard and, Fearne Cotton.

Huq will join the team as auditions for the talent search begin on Wednesday in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell will join Simon Cowell and co as a guest judge in the next series of The X Factor.

The 37-year-old singer is understood to be standing in for pregnant Dannii Minogue at auditions in Glasgow Wednesday.

Halliwell was previously a judge on Popstars: The Rivals, which discovered X Factor judge Cheryl Cole and her Girls Aloud bandmates.