The X Factor is being eyed for a reboot and speculation has already turned to who could possibly take over as judges.
The final season of the ITV show saw Simon Cowell remain as head judge with guest judges Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams, and Ayda Field.
But it’s that original line-up of Simon, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne that fans remember as the most iconic… and the most brutal.
Turns out Louis, 74, is keen to return, having been on almost every single season from 2004 to 2018 except for a blip in 2015 and the final year.
Despite his dedication to the competition, Louis only managed to win the ITV series once with 2005 act Shayne Ward.
However, his mind isn’t focused on winning if he returns. Instead, his only stipulation for rejoining the show is that Sharon is there too.
Speaking to The Sun, Louis said: ‘Of course I’d go back, but only if Sharon Osbourne did too. We’d have such a laugh together.’
The music manager and wife of the late Ozzy Osbourne was a staple of the show from 2004 to 2007, reappearing in 2013 for one season, then again in 2016 and 2017.
Despite clashing over comments about Sharon’s daughter Kelly in the early days, the pair have remained firm friends over the years.
They even appeared together as a dynamic duo on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024, frequently leaving each other – and the viewers – in stitches.
In the early days of X Factor, the pair would often irritate Simon with their giggling and often harsh comments about the hopefuls.
Unfortunately for Louis, who is best known for managing Boyzone, Westlife, and Jedward, it looks like Simon isn’t hoping for a reunion.
It’s no surprise either, as Simon and Sharon are not so friendly, with the reality star claiming previously that she ‘just worked for him’.
The Syco founder is still thought to be involved in some way with the new series but a source has said that Louis probably won’t return.
The insider told The Sun: ‘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.
