Louis Walsh Reignites Feud with Cheryl, Criticizes Girls Aloud Management
Former X Factor judge Louis Walsh has resurfaced his long-standing conflict with singer Cheryl, claiming Girls Aloud was a 'difficult' group to manage due to internal friction and that Cheryl's success required substantial assistance.
Louis Walsh has reignited his feud with former protégé Cheryl, asserting that the girl group Girls Aloud was challenging to manage because the members "didn't like each other." Walsh, 74, who managed the group from 2002 to 2004 after they were formed on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals, also commented on Cheryl's appearance during her time on The X Factor, stating that while she "looked great, it took a lot of help."
Walsh's comments were made during an appearance on The 2 Johnnies podcast. He recalled managing Girls Aloud, which also featured Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, and Kimberley Walsh. He suggested that the group "should have been much bigger in Europe," but their competitive nature and internal disagreements hindered their broader success. Walsh admitted that he was "never really into" the group, viewing his involvement as an inherited role due to his work with Polydor and his presence on the talent show. He specifically mentioned making a "silly mistake" by identifying Nadine Coyle as the best singer, which he stated they "didn't like."
During the podcast, Walsh also reflected on Cheryl's tenure as a judge on The X Factor, where she served two separate periods between 2008-2010 and again in 2014-2015. He commented, "Looked fantastic, looked great, it took a lot of help - and she got the sympathy vote because she was crying a bit... Ashley Cole was f***ing around." He added that she "became the nation's sweetheart" and that while he thought she was "good, not great," he contrasted her with other judges he deemed more effective, such as Rita Ora, Kelly Rowland, Dannii Minogue, Gary Barlow, and Nicole Scherzinger.
Girls Aloud disbanded in 2013 after achieving significant success in the UK and Ireland. Sarah Harding tragically passed away from breast cancer in September 2021 at the age of 39. The X Factor, a show that launched numerous successful artists including Leona Lewis and One Direction, was shelved by ITV after 15 series, with subsequent spin-off series like X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band.
Recent reports suggest that The X Factor might be revived by ITV, potentially with Simon Cowell involved behind the scenes. Insiders indicate that ITV is seeking to fill a gap in its entertainment schedule, particularly on weekends, and sees a revamped X Factor as a more reliable option than newer, less successful formats. The proposed revival aims for a "younger, fresher panel" and integration with social media trends to appeal to a contemporary audience.