Louis Walsh Returns To The X-Factor
Louis Walsh is to make a “sensational” return to The X-Factor after Brian Friedman, one of the Grease Is The Word judges who was going to replace Walsh on the panel, has had a change of heart.
Friedman will now become creative director on the show, and Walsh declared himself delighted to be reinstated. “In spite of all the bantering, I have continued to have a good working relationship with Simon, ITV and the show’s producers and I am thrilled to be asked back on the show,” he said.
“Working on The X-Factor has been such a big part of my life over the last three years and I was genuinely really missing it. I cannot wait to start work again on Monday and be back with Simon and Sharon, and I’m really looking forward to working with Dannii Minogue.”
Friedman will now be using his vast experience as a dancer and choreographer, working with the contestants from boot camp stages and into the live shows as well as using his extensive fashion knowledge to style the contestants at the studio shows.
He said: “I’m ecstatic to finally put my true skills to the test. The British public has only seen what I’ve been able to do from afar through the music videos and stage shows I have worked on. Now the public will be able to see direct in their homes what I can do and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
He added: “I am an artistic person used to being creative, I spoke to Simon and said I wanted a more hands-on role and he subsequently offered me the new position of creative director.”
Paul Jackson, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy, said: “We are thrilled to have Louis back to The X-Factor – and look forward to working with Brian in his new capacity. We, with producers talkbackTHAMES and Syco TV, are determined to make series four even better than ever before. Viewers will see the story unfold on screen when the series returns later in the year.”
Earlier this week, The Carphone Warehouse signed a three-year deal with ITV to become the new integrated sponsor for the fourth series of The X-Factor (see Carphone Warehouse Announces The X-Factor Sponsorship).
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