Louis Walsh returns to the X factor judging panel!

The former Westlife manager Louis Walsh is all set to return to The X Factor this year.

The Irish music mogul had said last summer that the tenth series would be his last.

“I’m happy this is going to be my last year,” Louis said in August “I’ve been judging X Factor for 10 years so I’ve done it all.”

But come October it seemed that Louis had changed his mind, saying: “Well, I said I was [going to quit]. But I’m having so much fun this year I might stay.”

Louis admitted he would only be back if Simon Cowell would also be on the panel and it seems like he’s got his wish.

According to The Sun, Louis and Simon are set to be reunited on the show for the first time since 2010.

“Simon took a while to confirm he was definitely coming back and now he’s there he wants Louis by his side,” a source claimed this morning. “They are old pals and he knows that he couldn’t do it without Louis. Louis hits a certain audience and has been a constant on the panel — he is someone that Simon trusts.

“He’s his eyes and ears when Simon’s not around which, for a control freak like Simon, is vitally important.”

Rumoured to be joining the pair on the new look line up are Cheryl Cole and Rita Ora.

As always, nothing is official just yet with any announcements not expected until at least March.

But we do know there will be at least two new judges with both Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne having unequivocally confirmed their exits last year.

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