Louis Walsh returns to `X Factor as fifth judge

Walsh, who was axed from the show following 10 consecutive years as one of its main talents, is seemingly in talks to return for the live shows, working as a neutral fifth judge alongside Simon Cowell, Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Radio 1 DJ Grimshaw has disappointed bosses who think he’s the major reason behind a ratings drop.

But an X Factor spokesperson replied to the news saying: “The X Factor is one of the most watched shows on TV”.

The 31-year-old was controversially brought in as Walsh’s successor. “He was loving that, ‘” O’Leary told The Sunday.

The former Westlife manager would apparently acts as a neutral judge, sitting away from the panel and delivering and giving unbiased commentary on the contestants during the live shows.

“It’s all been too nice during the auditions this year. Grimmy is popular backstage but viewers think he’s boring”.

“It’s a massive coup for Louis who is also going to sign a deal with Simon to help launch Ireland’s Got Talent as a judge”.

“They would not use paddles, otherwise they would be accused of copying Strictly, but scores would show how people improve each week and would be another thing viewers would comment and discuss”, said the paper’s source.

This year’s series of X Factor has so far failed to pull in the viewing audiences that show boss Simon Cowell and ITV executives hoped that it would… A total of 9.6 million watched the opening episode including 2 million on demand.

It’s also thought the format for the live shows will be changed.

I have to say, I still love X Factor, and I’d really miss it if it were to be cancelled – and there is much speculation that this year will in fact be the last series – because for me, it’s become an annual tradition and heralds the end of summer and the start of winter…