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The unsinkable Louis Walsh told TV Times magazine that is is leaving X Factor UK after season 10.
X Factor judge Louis Walsh says he’s hanging up his judging hat after this year’s series.
“I’m happy this is going to be my last year”, said Walsh, “I’ve been judging X Factor for ten years so I’ve done it all.”
As synonymous with the show as the eager contestants, Louis admits he’s ready to get his life back.
“It was never in my plan to be on TV but Simon [Cowell] put me there,” he told TV Times News. “I’m very grateful to him but I need my life back!”
Louis Walsh started his career of a talent show judge on Irish Popstars (2001) and Popstars: The Rivals (2002) and You’re a Star (2003-04) before he joined Simon Cowell and Sharon Osborne on X Factor UK in 2004. Simon removed him from the panel right before the start of season 4 and replaced him with Brian Friedman (choreographer, X Factor’s creative director) for a few days.
Louis Walsh helped Shayne Ward win the 2nd season of X Factor and mentored JLS to their second place finish in season 5. He also championed acts such as Jedward and Wagner.
Louis plans to return to his primary career of entertainment manager. In the past he managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone and Westlife, three of Ireland’s most successful pop acts in recent times. After X Factor, Louis plans to manage Shane Filan from Westlife and he is also putting together a new boyband.
It looks like X Factor UK’s judging panel will have lots of empty seats in early 2014. Apparently Sharon Osbourne’s comeback is a “one season only” stint and Gary Barlow wants to focus on Take That’s new album and tour next year. With Louis Walsh gone, this would leave Nicole Scherzinger alone on the panel and she might have her own plans, too.
