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X Factor Shake Up With Reports That Simon Cowell Has Sacked Veteran Judge Louis Walsh

Who Could Possibly Replace Louis Walsh On X Factor?
The Huffington Post UK
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Well, Simon Cowell promised us a shakeup for the next round of 'X Factor' and he's gone and done it, if reports are true - that he's finally told veteran judge Louis Walsh he will no longer be needed as judge on the competition.

The Sun reports that Simon was desperate to refresh the show in its ongoing battle for ratings with the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing'. They quote an insider, saying, “Viewers had become sick of Louis’s constant use of tired clichés and the same old jokes.

“They are close friends so Simon wanted to do this in the right way...

“So Simon spoke to Louis and told him that it’s 95 per cent certain that he’ll be ‘stood down’ this year.”

Louis has been saying for some time that he doesn't think he's coming back, but he always makes these kind of comments round about contract renewal time, and then his phone rings, and he's back in the game.

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Louis Walsh has been by Simon Cowell's side on the show for 11 years

However, Simon has been promising new blood on the judging panel for a while, and Louis has also intimated he's ready to leave, and concentrate once again on his manager role, including looking after his upcoming new band, Hometown.

Who do YOU think should replace Louis? Let us know below...

There is also speculation that he may helm a brand new Irish version of 'Britain's Got Talent', which would mean him once again working for his pal Simon.

He was sacked once before from the show, back in 2007, before returning weeks later, when he said that Simon realised he valued the Irish veteran pop manager's judgement.

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One name in the frame to replace Louis is One Direction's Louis Tomlinson

It does mean, of course, that a few new talents may go unspotted, without that forensic musical ear of Louis to recognise their sounds. Who else is there who will be able to spot in a teenage Londoner "the new Luther Vandross"? Simon has yet to name his chosen few.

The new season already has two new faces, with Olly Murs and Caroline Flack coming on board to replace Dermot O'Leary for hosting duties. Caroline debuted her new 'do' yesterday, for her first day of work, telling her followers on social media that she was nervous, but excited to start her new job.

'X Factor' Finalists: How Many Can You Name?
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(01 of28)
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a) Austin Drageb) Jonjo Kerrc) Sam Callahan (credit:Emma Peios via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(02 of28)
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a) Austin Drageb) Jonjo Kerrc) Sam CallahanOne of the most fancied 'X Factor' hunks across the show's ten years, Austin came in 9th place in 2008. He's still singing and, needless to say, still regularly taking his top off for selfies on Twitter. (credit:Emma Peios via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(03 of28)
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a) Treyc Cohenb) Maria Lawsonc) Alisha Bennett (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(04 of28)
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a) Treyc Cohenb) Maria Lawsonc) Alisha BennettAlthough she only finished in eighth place, Maria was one of series two's best loved contestants and signed a recording contract soon after the series ended. She has since played the female lead in 'Thriller Live' and fronted a campaign for Brastop.com (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(05 of28)
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a) Kimberley Southwickb) Carolynne Poolec) Lorna Simpson (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(06 of28)
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a) Kimberley Southwickb) Carolynne Poolec) Lorna SimpsonHaving already tried out for 'The Voice' and a previous series of 'The X Factor', Carolynne was the first contestant to get her marching orders in 2012. (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(07 of28)
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a) Ashley McKenzieb) Jamie Archerc) James Michael (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(08 of28)
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a) Ashley McKenzieb) Jamie Archerc) James MichaelLong before Tamera Foster, Ashley was the contestant who famously struggled to remember his words back in series three. Despite being an early favourite for winner, he ultimately finished in eighth place. (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(09 of28)
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a) Niki Evansb) Hannah Barrettc) Lucie Jones (credit:Suzan/Suzan)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(10 of28)
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a) Niki Evansb) Hannah Barrettc) Lucie JonesControversially, Simon Cowell opted to save Jedward over Lucie in series six. She's since gone on to play Cosette in 'Les Misérables', as well as bagging a role in the recent 'American Psycho' musical in London's West End. (credit:Suzan/Suzan)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(11 of28)
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a) Aiden Grimshawb) Anthony Hannahc) Rikki Loney (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(12 of28)
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a) Aiden Grimshawb) Anthony Hannahc) Rikki LoneyCheryl Cole was shocked when Jedward were saved over Rikki, who was the second contestant to be eliminated in 2009. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(13 of28)
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a) Brenda Edwardsb) Beverley Trotmanc) Roberta Howett (credit:Claire Greenway via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(14 of28)
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a) Brenda Edwardsb) Beverley Trotmanc) Roberta HowettSince finishing in sixth place in 2007, Beverley toured the UK in a production of 'Fame'. (credit:Claire Greenway via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(15 of28)
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a) Nikita Edwardsb) Laura Whitec) Sami Brookes (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(16 of28)
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a) Nikita Edwardsb) Laura Whitec) Sami BrookesLaura's exit is commonly referred to as one of the most controversial ever, with even Mariah Carey claiming that her finishing in eighth place was an injustice! Last year, Laura released her EP 'What My Mother Taught Me', having toured with Peter Andre earlier in her career. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(17 of28)
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a) Kingsland Roadb) Futureproofc) The Risk (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(18 of28)
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a) Kingsland Roadb) Futureproofc) The RiskGood hair. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(19 of28)
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a) Kandy Rainb) Bad Lashesc) Hope (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(20 of28)
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a) Kandy Rainb) Bad Lashesc) HopeOne of the first groups ever put together of solo singers who didn't make it on their own, Hope paved the way for One Direction, Little Mix and Belle Amie. (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(21 of28)
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a) Robert Allen b) Ben Millsc) Storm Lee (credit:Harry Herd via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(22 of28)
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a) Robert Allen b) Ben Millsc) Storm LeeBen signed a five album deal with Sony after finishing in third place back in 2006. He has since released one album with Sony... (credit:Harry Herd via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(23 of28)
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a) Cassie Comptonb) Rachel Hyltonc) Sophie Habibis (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(24 of28)
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a) Cassie Comptonb) Rachel Hyltonc) Sophie HabibisCassie was just 17 when she auditioned for the first ever series of 'The X Factor', famously pleading with mentor Sharon Osbourne not to cut her a fringe in. Since then she's enjoyed a successful theatre career. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(25 of28)
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a) Nicolo Festab) Aiden Grimshawc) Luke Friend (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(26 of28)
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a) Nicolo Festab) Aiden Grimshawc) Luke FriendNicolo was the first contestant to be eliminated in 2010, following a performance of Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance'. (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(27 of28)
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a) Andy Williamsb) Danyl Johnsonc) Leon Jackson (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(28 of28)
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a) Andy Williamsb) Danyl Johnsonc) Leon JacksonYou might recognise Leon - he actually won the show back in 2008, following a duet with Kylie Minogue in the live final. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)

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