Lord of the Dance
Louis Walsh to leave X Factor after 10 years
Entertainment

Louis Walsh to leave X Factor after 10 years

LOUIS Walsh is set to quit The X Factor after one more season, having been a judge on the hit ITV talent show since its launch in 2004.

The 61-year-old made the announcement during an interview with TV Times magazine.

He said: "I'm happy this is going to be my last year. I've been judging X Factor for 10 years so I've done it all."

He added: “It was never in my plan to be on TV but Simon [Cowell] put me there. I’m very grateful to him but I need my life back!”

The former Westlife and Boyzone manager has only once mentored a winning act during the 10 years, with Shayne Ward from the second series.

He revealed of his future plans, "I'm going to be managing Shane Filan from Westlife and I'm putting together a new boy band."

A spokesperson for X Factor commented, "We're delighted Louis is back for a record breaking 10th series this year. It's far too early to say what the judging panel for 2014 may or may not look like."

Walsh has mentored the 'Overs' category three times and the 'Groups' category five times.