Pop star joins big brother on X Factor

Natasha Bedingfield will be coaching the girls' under-25 category with her brother Daniel. Photo / Supplied

Natasha Bedingfield admits it's "weird" to find herself judging instead of being judged.

The British pop star was last night unveiled as one of four guest mentors joining the judging panel on talent show The X Factor.

She joins her older brother Daniel as the contestants head to retreats where they will be culled to a final dozen acts. The Bedingfield siblings will be coaching the girls' under-25 category, Stan Walker will be working with the over-25s, Mel Blatt has the groups, and Ruby Frost the under-25 boys.

Having had several UK top 10 songs and currently recording her fourth album in Los Angeles, Natasha, 31, will have plenty of advice for the girls - though she admits finding it hard to choose between them.

"I definitely didn't envy Daniel and the decisions he was going to have to make," she said.

"It was a bit weird to go to work somewhere and not be the one singing, but it was a lot of fun to be on the other side of it ..."

She doesn't perform in the upcoming episodes, though she does admit to a bit of humming along.

"There were some moments when the girls were singing, and Daniel and I couldn't help ourselves, we'd start humming.

"We had to really refrain from joining in."

Natasha wasn't born in New Zealand, as Daniel, 33, was but she has many relatives living here, and she loves to visit as often as she can.

"I've always felt a sense of belonging in New Zealand."

The Bedingfields and the competitors head to Rarotonga for their retreats in this weekend's show.

Read a full interview with Natasha Bedingfield in Thursday's TimeOut.

Assignments

* Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield will be coaching the girls' under-25 category.
* Stan Walker has the over-25s.
* Mel Blatt has the groups.
* Ruby Frost the under-25 boys.