Louis Walsh has revealed he was all set to enter the ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ jungle until Simon Cowell talked him out of it.
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The former ‘X Factor’ judge was rumoured to be among the contestants taking part in the ITV reality series, after he was axed from the talent show and replaced by Nick Grimshaw earlier this year.
Louis Walsh
Louis has now confirmed those reports were indeed true, as he met with producers three times about going in, but pulled out at the last minute, after being advised by his former boss.
He told The Mirror: "I was supposed to be doing it. I met them three times, I was nearly going.
“Simon told me he didn't think it would be good for my credibility. He actually talked me out of it. Otherwise I was going to do it."
While he took Simon’s advice this year, Louis hasn’t ruled out a future appearance, adding: "I might do ‘I'm A Celebrity’ next year. I'm going to keep the door open. It depends who you're in with, but then they don't tell you who you're going to be in with.
"And you're in Australia for three weeks, no food, no sleep, people you don't like. I can't swim. I don't like bugs, I don't like spiders, I'd be totally out of my comfort zone. Totally!
"But then X Factor's a bit of a jungle too. It's a three month jungle as opposed to three weeks."
Louis with former boss Simon Cowell
This year’s jungle camp includes former ‘X Factor’ choreographer Brian Friedman, as well as former contestant George Shelley, who is part of boyband Union J.
It was previously reported that Louis had turned down a £500,000 offer from ‘I’m A Celebrity’ in order to make a return to ‘The X Factor’ in time for the live shows - something which has failed to materialise.
He said on ‘Loose Women’ at the time: “Simon said the door was open to me months ago.
"There is a possibility I might end up on the show. But I don’t know for definite. I’d like to. I’m available.”
‘I’m A Celebrity’ continues tonight (19 November) at 9pm on ITV.
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