Louis Walsh, a prominent figure in the music industry, has expressed a conditional willingness to return to a rebooted version of "The X Factor." His return is contingent on his long-time colleague Sharon Osbourne also being part of the judging panel. Walsh referred to Osbourne, his "judging wingwoman," as a non-negotiable element for his potential comeback.
Walsh and Osbourne developed a strong bond during their initial years on the hit talent show. Osbourne served as a judge for the program's first four seasons, departing before the 2008 series. Their on-screen dynamic was characterized by a mix of disagreements and camaraderie. This friendship was recently rekindled when both appeared on "Celebrity Big Brother" last year, with Osbourne initially entering as a lodger before Walsh joined as a full housemate.
Recent comments from Osbourne's daughter, Kelly Osbourne, echoed this sentiment. She indicated a preference for working with the "original trio" – her mother, Walsh, and Simon Cowell – should "The X Factor" be modernized and revived. These statements align with ongoing speculation about a potential return of the format.
Walsh, 73, was a judge on "The X Factor" from its inception in 2004 alongside Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, and Dannii Minogue. During his tenure, he mentored the Groups and Over 25s categories. Beyond his television work, Walsh has had a decades-long career as a music manager, representing acts such as Westlife and Boyzone.
"The X Factor" aired on ITV from 2004 to 2018, running for 15 series and launching the careers of numerous artists including One Direction and Little Mix. Despite its peak popularity, ratings declined in later seasons, leading to its cancellation in 2018, with a brief celebrity spin-off following in 2019. While speculation about a revival has surfaced periodically, no confirmed return date has been announced, and creator Simon Cowell has not publicly commented on revival plans.