Louis Walsh eyes sensational return to The X Factor judging panel – but reveals he’ll only go back on one condition

LOUIS Walsh is eyeing a return as a judge on The X Factor. ITV and production company Talkback Thames are working on a reboot with show boss Simon Cowell, The Sun On Sunday revealed. Louis Walsh could be set for a sensational return as a judge on The X Factor Credit: Getty – Contributor Louis will only return is Sharon Osbourne does too Credit: Rex Features Now former Boyzone and Westlife manager Louis, 74, has lobbied Simon, 66, to bring back the original panel — despite him wanting younger stars. Louis said: “Of course I’d go back, but only if Sharon Osbourne did too. We’d have such a laugh together.” Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Louis was a judge on the show from the first series in 2004 until 2014, then in 2016 and 2017. Sharon, 73, was also on the original judging panel before leaving in 2007, returning in 2013, and then appeared again alongside Louis in 2016 and 2017. But those working on the new X Factor have said Louis, who has been a judge on several other TV talent shows, including 2002’s Popstars: The Rivals, might struggle to get a look-in. A source said: “Louis is great on telly, but he’s a bit of an X Factor relic. Even Simon won’t be front and centre on the new series. “He will be more behind the scenes. The whole point of the new show is to bring in fresh faces on the panel. “They want completely new talent to give The X Factor a sense that it belongs in our world now. Most read in TV Louis was a judge on the show from the first series in 2004 until 2014, then in 2016 and 2017 Credit: Handout Sharon, 73, was also on the original judging panel before leaving in 2007, returning in 2013, and then appeared again alongside Louis in 2016 and 2017 Credit: Rex Features “You’d expect music influencers and younger singers to be on the panel, not Louis and Sharon, who are well into their 70s.” Sources revealed at the weekend top-level conversations were going on at ITV and Talkback Thames over the new version. Staff started working on the project in December. A series of the show’s catchphrases, including Simon’s “I didn’t like it, I loved it,” were secretly trademarked ahead of its return. The X Factor pulled in 19million viewers at its peak in 2010 and launched the careers of stars such as One Direction and Leona Lewis. Comment now