Simon Cowell says Louis Walsh may be back but Nick Grimshaw isn

He is tough and he gets it. Is he being sidelined for Louis Walsh?

Simon Cowell says Nick Grimshaw is “100% safe” on The X Factor – and insists he rates the new judge.

But while a confirmation of Louis being re-hired wasn’t forthcoming, Simon strongly hinted at it, saying: ‘If I thought the viewers would like to see him on a few of the live shows, why not?’

Walsh reportedly turned down the chance to enter the I’m A Celebrity jungle so he could make a return to the ITV talent show as a “fifth judge” in time for the live shows.

“Nick, by the way – just for the record – I love Nick and I love this panel”, Simon assured – despite abruptly cutting off Nick’s Skype call during Sunday’s show.

Former victor Ben announced his new single, Second Hand Heart, which features none other than American superstar Kelly Clarkson.

After 18 months of hard work he succeeded though and his song, which was recorded by long-time friend Sinitta, went to number two in the charts.

“There’s always a lot of cynicism, you know, can anyone who goes on these shows, can they actually have a career and I think over time we’re beginning to prove a point”. “You will get acceptable weeks and not so acceptable weeks”.

Having obviously remembered to pack his critiquing hat, he congratulated Dayo Bello and Rehaim West after watching them in the recording studio, telling them: “That was great”.

“Viewing habits have changed enormously, especially in the last couple of years… we all got to appreciate that and kind of consider it more”, he added.

He told the Daily Mirror: “I think he’s doing good”.

The school is the UK’s leading performing arts and technology state school and previous alumni include Adele, Jessie J, Leona Lewis and the late Amy Winehouse to name but a few.

Simon visited the Brit School and Nordoff Robbins facility in the grounds ahead of being honoured at this year’s Music Industry Trust Awards (MITS), which is held to raise money for the school and the music therapy charity.

Would he be singing right now if he’d attended the BRIT School?