Simon Cowell has sensationally axed Louis Walsh as an X Factor judge,.... Irish music mogul Louis Walsh has left British TV talent show The X Factor after judging three seasons of the programme.Following Walsh's departure, two new judges will join Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne in finding undiscovered solo artists and groups with 'The X Factor', but Walsh will manage the winning act from this year's (07) forthcoming series.Walsh, who has directed the careers of Boyzone, Westlife, Ronan Keating and Samantha Mumba, says he will now have the chance to spend more time with his artists.Host Kate Thornton dropped from the next series Kate and Louis were told on Wednesday night they were being dropped from the next series.

Kate was in tears when she got her marching orders as she loved doing the show and felt she did a good job. But Louis is more philosophical saying it was never his be-all-and-end-all. Cowell says it was time to freshen up the ITV show, which returns in the summer.

As yet no replacements have been chosen for the fourth series which in a new format is set to have four judges along with other changes including lowering the age limit to 14 and splitting the 14-25s into boys and girls. Walsh meanwhile says, "I will focus my energy on my day job as an artist manager.

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

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