For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Music mogul Simon Cowell will “definitely” be returning to the UK version of The X Factor
Click here to see what past winners are doing now
“Simon’s coming back, I’m pretty certain of that. Simon, I think, is definitely coming back to X Factor Digital Spy .
“He’s having some new faces on the panel. I’d say I’m 70 per cent certain he’ll come back”.
Syco’s leading man was head judge on The X Factor
Walsh, 61, has previously spoken of his planned departure from the show, but has admitted to a change of heart after hearing that Cowell could return.
The former Boyzone and Westlife manager has reportedly been having “the most fun” ever with current judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
Two of Walsh’s acts, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald, are in this weekend’s final, and will both do battle with Osbourne’s mentee Sam Bailey.
Osbourne, 60, was also expected to leave the programme at the end of this series to “put her feet up” and focus on being a grandmother.
But Walsh does not want her to leave. “She’s the life and soul of the party. We can always convince her, she made a big difference this year,” he said.
For the imminent grand final , the three remaining acts will perform duets with guest stars . Sam will sing with Nicole , Luke will team up with Ellie Goulding and Shane is to perform with Westlife’s Shane Filan .
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Try for free “It might not be Beyoncé or Robbie, but we’ve got three amazing singers,” Walsh revealed. “Luke always fancied Ellie. She was in the house and he was like, 'Is that really Ellie Goulding ?' He’s kind of shy, he’s only 17.”
Recently, Louis Walsh hit out at last year's X Factor winner, James Arthur, saying he should be "a lot more grateful and a lot more respectful" after the "Recovery" singer apologised live on air for using a homophobic lyric in a rap .
Show all 10 1 /10X Factor winners: Where are they now? X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2013: Sam Bailey The clear winner from the outset, Sam Bailey went on to beat teen singers Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald. Bailey's cover of Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' went straight to number one on 22 December 2013, becoming the first X Factor winner in three years to gain the Christmas number one spot. Her debut album is due to be released on 24 March. She is also currently pregnant with her third child.
Rex Features
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2012: James Arthur He secured the biggest-selling X Factor winner's song ever with 'Impossible', but last year's victor James Arthur has been at the centre of controversy recently. Arthur got into a Twitter spat with fellow former contestant Lucy Spraggan when he used a homophobic lyric in a rap. The singer apologised on-air for 'abusing [his] position as an X Factor winner' after a performance on the results show a few weeks ago. Arthur's new single 'Recovery' is currently number 19 in the Official UK Singles Chart.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2011: Little Mix Girl band Little Mix are one of The X Factor's success stories. Formerly known as Rhythmix, the group released an autobiography in August 2012 and their debut album came out that November, reaching number three. Little Mix's Perrie Edwards is engaged to One Direction's Zayn Malik which, you know, helps with the the whole fame thing. The band toured earlier this year and have enjoyed US success too. Their latest album Salute was released on 15 November.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2010: Matt Cardle Singer-songwriter Matt Cardle performed 'Unfaithful' with Rihanna during the 2010 X Factor finals. He famously criticised Syco for being 'very pop' when he, apparently, wasn't. Shortly afterwards, he left Cowell's label. Cardle returned to the charts when his first album 'The Fire' made number eight and was well-received by critics. He recorded a duet with Spice Girl Melanie C, 'Loving You', in the summer and will be touring new album 'Porcelain' in April 2014.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2009: Joe McElderry Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' famously beat Joe McElderry to the Christmas number one in 2009, following an internet campaign to do battle with Cowell's chart machine. McElderry's luck failed to pick up and he soon found himself winning yet another talent show, Pop Star to Opera Star. Recently, he's enjoyed some success in the classical world and appeared in several West End shows. He is signed with Universal Music's Decca label.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2008: Alexandra Burke Alexandra Burke's cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' sold more than a million copies in the UK, a success she followed with five top ten singles and a hit album. Burke has been a brand ambassador for a women's deodorant and signed a modelling contract in 2010. She joined The X Factor as a guest judge during the final of the eight series. The 'Bad Boys' singer has another album out next year but it will be released on RCA records after her recent split from Simon Cowell's label.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2007: Leon Jackson 'When You Believe' became the fastest-selling single of 2007 when winner Leon Jackson released it before Christmas, but he was dropped in 2009 following poor sales. His third single 'Creative' only reached number 94 in the charts and half his tour dates were cancelled. At present, Jackson is reportedly writing a second album that he will release independently.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2006: Leona Lewis She's The X Factor's darling and one of the only acts still with Simon Cowell's label. Leona Lewis enjoyed huge international success after winning the 2006 show and releasing her first single 'A Moment Like This'. Recently, she has struggled, with sales of her latest album 'Glassheart' down steeply from those of her debut in 2007.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2005: Shayne Ward After his victory on the second show, Ward achieved the fourth fastest-selling UK single ever with 'That's My Goal'. Several other hits and three albums followed and at one stage, he was reportedly considered to replace Jason Orange in Take That. Ward was dropped six years later to make room for other upcoming stars on Syco's label and has since turned his hand to performing in London musical Rock of Ages with Justin Lee Collins. The Mancunian singer appeared in Dancing on Ice in January 2013 but was eliminated in the fifth round.
X Factor winners: Where are they now? 2004: Steve Brookstein The first winner of The X Factor, Steve Brookstein scored a number one single with 'Against All Odds' but was dumped by Sony BMG just eight months afterwards for being a one-hit wonder. Since his brief success evaporated, Brookstein has performed on cruise ships and was spotted in 2010 performing in a small Cornish pub for £2.50 a ticket. Brookstein no longer appears in publicity for The X Factor and as a result, he has repeatedly hit out at both the show and Simon Cowell. He is, however, still singing, and has a new album 'Soul Journey' out in February.
Video: X Factor judges predict winner
By default player size is set to 420 x 315px. But you can resize player width and height once you get the player code using player params.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies