Louis Walsh leaves X Factor!

taken from BBc website:

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Walsh to step down from X Factor

The X Factor won a prize at the National Television Awards in 2006
Music mogul Louis Walsh will no longer act as a judge in the next series of The X Factor, ITV has announced.
The Irishman will continue to manage acts off-screen, while two new judges will join regulars Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne.

The show's host Kate Thornton is also being replaced and is moving on to present new programmes with ITV.

A new category will be introduced to the show's revamped format, while the age limit will also be lowered.

Walsh said he would "focus my energy on my day job as an artist manager," including the relaunch of Boyzone.

"I am also looking forward to continuing my work with Simon and The X Factor team managing the stars from this year's series," he added.

'New dimension'

Walsh, who also manages chart-topping boy band Westlife, steered Shayne Ward to a victory in the second series, and mentored series one runners-up G4.

In the most recent series, won by Simon Cowell's protegee Leona Lewis, Walsh took charge of the groups category and failed to steer any of his acts into the final stages.

Thornton, who has hosted the ITV show for three years, is in line to present Sir Elton John's 60th birthday celebrations from New York, and is already in talks about another new project.

Paul Jackson, ITV's director of entertainment, said: "We are always looking at ways of keeping the format as fresh and exiting as ever. Having an extra judge and additional category will give the show a whole new dimension."

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wow that's a big shake-up with two new judges and Kate Thornton leaving, i'm sure the rumours are going to start flying around soon. won't they be starting auditions for XF4 soon?

yeah they are doing the auditions soon as they are advertising for them on itv.
wow louis and kate leaving, im seeing real big changes in the show going to happen. 2 new judges - now who could they be?

Meh!, won't be the same if you ask me!

Lowering the Age Limit? To what? 16 is the legal age you can be outside of school, any younger than that, and your meant to be in full-time education. Not faffing around on a TV show for weeks on end.

I dont think its right, if they lower it. These people only get fame for 1-2 years or so, in the main. Letting them get out of school to take part would affect them for the whole of their lives... And thats not right of them, i dont think...

Dont really care about Louis- he annoys me most the time anyway. Not sure what presenter i would want to take over- maybe someone like Ant and Dec? Or Cat Deeley? Theres not that many people on ITV who are good at doing it live...

Wow! There's going to be a complete change to the show then, Kate Thornton and Louis Walsh are both leaving! I really liked Kate presenting it, i wonder who'll replace her? Ant and Dec or Cat Deeley would be obvious choices. I quite liked Louis as a judge, it's a shame he's going too! Two new judges joining the show sounds exciting though!

I don't like lowering the age limit idea - as Abi said, people under 16 should still be in compulsory education, it would mess up their lives if they got through..as they would miss so much of school and their education, and in most cases, they would only get 15 minutes of fame anyway until they dissapear from the public eye.

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Originally Posted by DaVeyWaVey

Wow! There's going to be a complete change to the show then, Kate Thornton and Louis Walsh are both leaving! I really liked Kate presenting it, i wonder who'll replace her? Ant and Dec or Cat Deeley would be obvious choices. I quite liked Louis as a judge, it's a shame he's going too! Two new judges joining the show sounds exciting though!

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Cat Deely lives in America now and co prestents American Idol, so doesn't want to come back to the UK now. That's why we got the fab Clauida on CFA with Patrick.

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Or Cat Deeley?

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If she ever came back to the UK... and took over from Kate Thornton, I definately wouldn't watch it again, she absolutly does my head in these days. I can't understand how I used to enjoy watching her :searchme:. The disasters of youth hey :rolleyes:

just so long as it's not Ferne Cotton...ugh...

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Originally Posted by LostVoodoo

just so long as it's not Ferne Cotton...ugh...

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Excellent idea, i love her, i'd watch it again if she was on it :thumbsup:

I'd totally watch it if it was Fearne too! I love her :D

I dont know about the age limit thing. because they have had some great singers who have been 17 try and get on.but if they lowered it to 16 some of the people would have to miss school...

But isn't the age already 16-24? :lol:?

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Originally Posted by CrazyLea

But isn't the age already 16-24? :lol:?

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I thought it was 18-24

:searchme:

On GMTV this morning the front runners for replacing Kate are Ben Shepherd, Cat Deeley and Veron Kay. I think Vernon would be the best choice but he may not want to do it as it he would be going head to head with his wife Tess Daly who'll be co-hosting SCD at the same time.

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Originally Posted by Chloe O'Brien

On GMTV this morning the front runners for replacing Kate are Ben Shepherd, Cat Deeley and Veron Kay. I think Vernon would be the best choice but he may not want to do it as it he would be going head to head with his wife Tess Daly who'll be co-hosting SCD at the same time.

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Oh Vernon would be good.. mind you Ant and Dec did the pop idol when it came out so I think they would be better

From More

Simon ‘Mr Nasty’ Cowell has ditched Louis Walsh and Kate Thornton from the X Factor in plans to ‘freshen up’ the show.
Kate Thornton was said to be ‘in tears’ when she found out the news that she was to be ditched. Cat Deeley is now the bookie’s favourite to take over from her.

But Simon obviously didn’t want Louis to be too upset, and promised that he’ll be able to manage the winner from the next series.

In fact, it’s rumoured there’ll be two MORE presenters next series – and Chris Moyles is one of the names being bandied about.

they also said this morning that the age would be lowered to 14 :eek:

If they lower it to 14, are the truant officers going to be taking the parents (and the producers) to task, for encouraging the children to not attend lessons??

they did mention something about home schooling but they also raised the point that alot of 14 year olds wont be able to handle the rejection or even the stress of it!!!

It's stressful before you even get to Simon and co, all the other process' are bad enough, so when you get rejected i the first stages', it makes you think your not good, when some of them really all, coz it's not actually about whether your a good singer or not all the time, it's to with wether your face fit's and how many they've alreay put through.

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Originally Posted by Luna

they did mention something about home schooling but they also raised the point that alot of 14 year olds wont be able to handle the rejection or even the stress of it!!!

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Exactly - look at how the older ones are when they've been rejected etc - it could scar them for a very long time!!

Oh I don't know then CornishBabe, you might possibly be right lol!

Also, out of Vernon Kay, Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd. I think Ben Shepherd would be the best choice.

I also agree that lowering the age to 14 would be bad. For the 14+ year olds that is.

The age limit thing is definitly a bad idea. As for the presenters i didnt really like Kate but she was good when they got rejected.

As for Louis i liked him.

I think the age been lowered to 14 is so stupid!

They say they worry about 16 year olds doing the live shows because of their nerves, never mind been 14 and live on television!..Silly idea!

I think they should just leave it as it is!

It makes sense using Ben though as Kate was the ITV 2 extra presenter for Pop Idol then when it became to x factor she came to ITV 1 to be the main presenter of the show. So they could continue this on and get some one new to do the ITV 2 presenting.

On GMTV they were interview little Shaun and he said he wouldn't have been able to cope when he was 14. He says it's all down to the individual and if they think they can manage school, the show and the pressure.
They also talked to the 14 year old girl who pretendend she was 16 to audition "Paris" she was offered a place but then told them she wasn't old enough. She says she's going back again this year.

From NW

Honestly! Why on earth would Simon Cowell want to replace his old mate, ageing moody Irishman Louis Walsh, with gorgeous glamourpuss Jessica Simpson, do you reckon? Unbelievable, isn't it? And yet that's the current word from the X Factor camp - where Jess is apparently everyone's favourite to fill the empty judge's chair.

Mind you, the next series is going to feature four judges, instead of three, so there's still a vacancy for someone who can bring something fresh and exciting to the show. And that person is rumoured to be Radio One DJ Chris Moyles - who reportedly impressed Sharon and Simon with his stint on Celebrity X Factor last year. Although Moylesy seemed a little bemused by the reports this morning on his breakfast show - claiming he knew nothing about it! (Yeah yeah, just holding out for a bigger paycheck er reckon...)

Meanwhile, the 'new Kate Thornton' is rumoured to be Dermot O'Leary - which might mean we get a little less gushing, and a little more humour, from this year's X Factor presenter. But will he continue Kate's tradition of flirting with Simon, cuddling all the contestants and letting his nipple pop out on live TV?

Gest Lands 'X Factor' Judging Slot?


Music producer and reality TV star David Gest has been lined up to replace Irish music mogul Louis Walsh on British TV show The X Factor. Gest - the estranged husband of Liza Minelli - will reportedly join remaining judges Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne in their bid to unearth the UK's best undiscovered musical talent following Walsh's departure from the program last week. A source tells British newspaper the Daily Mirror, "Talks are well under way and ITV chiefs think David is just what the show needs to give it a new kick. It's just a case of sorting out money and scheduling. Simon Cowell wants someone who would bring some fresh humor to the show and David is such a character. He knows David will be someone who knows what he's talking about. He also wants someone with strong views and who isn't afraid to speak their mind and David's that man." In January, ITV bosses announced plans for Gest's own show, following his success on reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in November. The David Gest Show will air later this year.

The delectable Dermot O’Leary has reportedly turned down an offer to present the X Factor as it would clash with his Big Brother commitments.

A source told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “Dermot was flattered but the filming would clash with his upcoming commitments for ‘Big Brother’.”

Apparently Simon Cowell is desperate to have a male host after witnessing Ryan Seacrests success on American Idol. Please God don’t ask Vernon Kaye!

Bit of a shame really, i think he would have been pretty good...

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Originally Posted by Abi

The delectable Dermot O’Leary has reportedly turned down an offer to present the X Factor as it would clash with his Big Brother commitments.

A source told Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper: “Dermot was flattered but the filming would clash with his upcoming commitments for ‘Big Brother’.”

Apparently Simon Cowell is desperate to have a male host after witnessing Ryan Seacrests success on American Idol. Please God don’t ask Vernon Kaye!

Bit of a shame really, i think he would have been pretty good...

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Dermot would have been a good host

David Gest good choice!! he is a music producer so he should know what he is talking about.. shame about Dermot, mind you I would like Veron to do it

Simon Cowell has admitted that he should have called Louis Walsh to tell him he had been sacked from The X Factor.

Cowell has been criticised for failing to inform Walsh personally that he would not be asked to serve as a judge on the new series of the TV singing contest.

He told The Sun: “I should have called Louis - he has every reason to believe he’s been stabbed in the back. At some stage we are going to have a conversation and I’ll see how he feels.

“But he’s got to get off his chest what he wants to get off his chest - he thinks I stabbed him in the back.”

American Idol judge, Randy Jackson has admitted to The Sun today that he has been asked to replace Louis Walsh as a judge in this years X Factor series.

The record producer and former singer confessed: “I’d love to do it. I can’t wait to come to London. It will be a fantastic opportunity.”

Randy, who is currently discussing terms with Cowell in LA, said: “I love working with Simon. We’re great friends.”

I think Simon has gotten this one just right. Randy is great on American Idol, honest without being brutal and he has a fantastic sense of humour. Great choice…now who will number four be?

I don't mind Randy but I hate the way he keeps calling all the guys "dog"... and he is so OTT "you're going to hollywood babe/dog/bro etc"

I don't mind Randy either. But my dad reckons that he just goes along with what Simon or Paula says, and I kinda agree with him, he mostly does. And I also hate the way he keeps calling people dog :lol:. But hm, it could be worse I guess.

I hope Randy "Dog" doesn't become the next judge he seems to have no opinion himself just follows Simon and Paula. I like the idea of David Gest he would be hilarious.

I woulndn't mind David Gest either!..
Not Randy though!..
Personally i don't like change..lol..i used to like it with Simon, Sharon & Louis!..

SIMON Cowell has picked X-lover Sinitta to replace axed Louis Walsh as an X Factor judge.

And in an exclusive interview with the News of the World, she revealed he is also going to help her have TWO babies this year!

Simon, who gave Sinitta away when she married businessman Andy Willner, in 2002, has now given the childless couple glowing references in their bid to adopt a family.

Sinitta, 40, and Simon remained friends after their 18-year romance and she has worked behind the scenes on X Factor since 2004. But she admits replacing Louis is no easy task.

She said: "I do feel bad because Louis is a close friend, but he is not on the show any more and that's not my fault.

"I'm the rightful new judge because I've been groomed for the job." Sinitta also revealed for the first time a surrogate mum carrying her twins had miscarried last year so she now hopes to adopt two babies.

Simon gave her a reference and Sinitta said: "He's given the authorities an amazing insight into what I'm about."

And if rumours are true Danni Minogue will also be a judge. Sinitta had a successful career but it was in the 80s and Danni Minogue never had a successful singing career. I hope these are all rumours as both would be horrible judges.

Louis Walsh at least is a successful manager.

I'm hoping for David Gest, Simon Fuller or Clive Davis