Louis Walsh Suffered 'Mini Heart Attack' on Celebrity Big Brother, Regrets Show Appearance
The 74-year-old pop manager disclosed the health scare and his decision to rule out an X Factor reboot.
Louis Walsh, 74, has revealed that he experienced a "mini heart attack" during his time on Celebrity Big Brother. The Irish pop manager discussed his regrets about participating in the show, citing anxiety problems and crediting the ITV medics for their care.
Walsh had previously admitted that financial incentives played a role in his decision to join the program, with reports suggesting a payment close to £850,000. However, he now describes his participation as a "big mistake," as his doctor believes he suffered a heart attack.
Speaking on The 2 Johnnies podcast, Walsh stated, "I thought it was going to be fun. It wasn't fun. I had anxiety problems and I had to get the medics." He further elaborated, "My doctor thinks I had a minor heart attack. I couldn't sleep at night times and we were all locked in and it was dark and I'd try and get out."
He mentioned that he was permitted to leave the house a few times for breaks, adding, "They looked after me very well but it was a big mistake. I did it for the money but I shouldn't have."
Walsh also referred to his fellow contestant Sharon Osbourne, noting that she was also not in a good state. He characterized their participation as "television hookers" for accepting payment.
Following his Celebrity Big Brother stint, Walsh has stated that he will not be participating in any potential reboot of Simon Cowell's X Factor. "I won't be doing it as I am probably too old. The money is good, they pay well but I don't think he will ask me," he said.
He speculated on who might be considered for such a show, suggesting Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger as potential candidates. Walsh recalled feeling nervous around Cowell and Osbourne, recounting an instance where he told Kelly Osbourne her song "Papa Don't Preach" was "absolute s***e," a comment that did not please her.
The X Factor was a highly successful show during its peak, launching the careers of artists like Leona Lewis and One Direction. After 15 series, ITV shelved the program, which subsequently had two spin-off series, X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band.
Recent reports suggest that Simon Cowell is being considered to return to the show in some capacity, with ITV reportedly looking to revamp its entertainment schedule. Insiders have indicated that a modernized version of The X Factor could be a more reliable option than new formats that have recently been criticized. The plan reportedly involves a younger panel and Cowell in an behind-the-scenes role, aiming to engage a social media-savvy audience.