'X Factor' 2016: Louis Walsh Reveals What Simon Cowell Has Learned From Last Series (EXCLUSIVE)

He's also had his say on the ongoing 'Strictly Come Dancing' ratings battle.
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Louis Walsh has revealed what he thinks Simon Cowell has learned from the last series of ‘The X Factor’.

You know, the only one he didn’t appear on.

As you may recall, Louis was replaced by Nick Grimshaw on the 2015 run of ‘X Factor’, which was blighted by low ratings and was received poorly by critics and fans of the show alike.

Louis will be back on the new series, and says he thinks Simon has learned a thing or two from his choices last year.

Louis Walsh at the 'X Factor' press launch
Louis Walsh at the 'X Factor' press launch
Stuart Wilson via Getty Images

Speaking to HuffPost UK at this year’s ‘X Factor’ launch, Louis said: “I think Simon has learned not to change the panel too much. There must be chemistry with the panel, they have to know each other, and they have to be there for the right reasons.

“Sharon and I are managers, we don’t look for the same thing that maybe Nicole and Simon look for. I just think we’re a really good team this year. The chemistry is naturally there, there’s nobody acting, we’re just being ourselves.”

The new-look 'X Factor' judging team
The new-look 'X Factor' judging team
ITV

Louis also addressed comments he made about rival show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, having branded it “boring” in a recent interview.

Backtracking slightly, Louis insisted: “It’s a good show, and it has an audience… but nobody talks about it the day after, whereas with ‘X Factor’, you say, ‘did you see that one?’. I think we have the most talked-about show.

“I think ‘Strictly’ has a great audience, I think it’s a good show.”

Addressing the ongoing ratings battle between ‘X Factor’ and ‘Strictly’, Louis offered: “I think both shows are going to do well. I think there’s an audience for both. The way people watch TV now’s different.

“But I’m on the best show. It mightn’t be the biggest, but it’s definitely the best.”

Last year, Simon was forced to eat his words, when he said he was confident ‘X Factor’ would beat ‘Strictly’ in the ratings, citing their poor line-up as a reason.

Ultimately, ‘Strictly’ won week-on-week, while on two occasions ‘X Factor’ fell in third place behind ‘Countryfile’.

The new series of ‘The X Factor’ kicks off on Saturday, 27 August at 8pm on ITV.

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