Louis Walsh proved he still had a sense of humour about getting the old heave-ho from his job on ‘The X Factor’ judging panel on Saturday night, appearing in a hilarious sketch during this year’s final.
The skit parodied this year’s John Lewis ad, and saw him taking on the role of the ‘Man On The Moon’.
However, rather than looking down at a happily family down on Earth, a sad-looking Louis was seen peering down his telescope at Wembley Arena, where this year’s two-part final is being held.
Louis Walsh makes his 'X Factor' return... kinda
Amazing.
After 11 years on the judging panel, it was confirmed earlier this year that Louis would not be returning to ‘The X Factor’, and would instead be replaced by BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.
He’s since been heavily critical of the show, in particular due to the fact it’s hit something of a ratings slump in recent times.
Last month, he suggested that Simon had “f***ed” the show by sacking him and former presenter Dermot O’Leary, telling Star magazine: “Simon has messed with it too much. It was an experiment that didn’t really work.
“He used to blame me. He’d say, ‘It’s your fault, people are fed up looking at you’. But it’s not my fault, it’s his. He’s f***ed the show.”
Louis previously sent himself up in an ‘X Factor’ advert earlier this year, playing a whistling cleaner in a clip that introduced the new judging line-up to the nation.
If recent rumours turn out to be true, though, he could be due a comeback, with reports over the weekend claiming that Nick Grimshaw won’t be back next year, after getting a mixed reception from viewers.
An 'X Factor' spokesperson has since insisted is "purely speculation", though, adding: "We have not even started discussing the next series and won't do so until next year."