Louis Walsh is interested in returning for the reported X Factor reboot, but he has attached one major condition to the idea.
The longtime talent manager said he would only consider another stint on the judging panel if Sharon Osbourne came back with him. His comments arrived as ITV and Talkback Thames continue working on plans to revive the singing competition.
Louis Walsh revealed he will only rejoin the rebooted ITV singing competition if Sharon Osbourne signs on
“Of course I’d go back, but only if Sharon Osbourne did too,” Walsh said. “We’d have such a laugh together.”
Walsh, 74, has already pushed Simon Cowell to consider bringing back the show’s original judging lineup. He first joined The X Factor in 2004 and remained on the panel through 2014. He later returned for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Osbourne also helped launch the show as one of the original X Factor judges. She left in 2007 before returning in 2013 and again for the 2016 and 2017 seasons alongside Walsh.
However, the reported direction of the ITV reboot may work against the reunion Walsh wants.
According to The Sun, producers want to build the new version around younger personalities who could connect with today’s social media audience. The insider also suggested Cowell would likely take a less visible role than he did during the show’s original run.
“The whole point of the new show is to bring in fresh faces on the panel,” the source said.
The insider added that producers could look toward music influencers and younger singers instead of relying heavily on former judges.
Work on the revival reportedly began in December, while ITV and Talkback Thames have continued holding discussions about how to update the format.
Another sign of the show’s possible comeback came through trademark filings. Several familiar X Factor phrases, including Cowell’s “I didn’t like it, I loved it,” reportedly received new trademark protection ahead of the planned return.
The original series became one of ITV’s biggest entertainment shows and drew around 19 million viewers at its 2010 peak. It also helped launch major acts including One Direction and Leona Lewis.
For now, Louis Walsh has made his position clear. He is open to returning, but only if Sharon Osbourne joins him.
