Louis Walsh: My X Factor contract is watertight

3 April 2018

Louis Walsh insists his 'X Factor' contract is "watertight", following claims he could be axed from the judging panel.

Louis Walsh

The Irish music mogul called show boss Simon Cowell after speculation emerged that he, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger are to be booted off the programme, and he is set for showdown talks with his pal in Los Angeles about his role.

He said: "My contract is watertight. I've checked it out with someone and have told Simon that.

"He has asked me to come and see him in LA.

"I have spoken to Sharon. She's said they can only sack us if they pay us."

However, Louis admitted fellow judge Sharon has been left "surprised" that she is yet to receive any filming dates for the show's upcoming 15th series.

He added to The Sun newspaper: "Sharon did say she was surprised she hadn't been given any filming dates.

"I don't think they've finalised what they're going to do with the panel.

"We have three-year contracts. We both do."

Louis' comments come after recent claims Nicole has been axed from the judging panel, and that Simon has "lost faith" in Louis and Sharon.

An insider said: "Louis and Sharon are both contracted to return this year, but Simon and the producers have lost faith. They were both terrible on the panel last year. Louis has had a great run, but he's advertising hearing aids for God's sake. It's beyond a joke.

"And Sharon couldn't even remember some of her own contestants' names. Nicole was a passionate judge but has no contract and won't be back this year in order to bring in fresh blood."

However, Louis has rubbished speculation that Simon is thinking about giving him the chop because he's done a hearing aids ad.

He told the publication: "I never did an ad for hearing aids. I had to do a test and they said my hearing was perfect - 100 per cent perfect - so I couldn't do it."

Simon, Sharon, Nicole and Louis have been the show's judges for the past two series, which saw Rak-Su and Matt Terry triumph.

Sharon, Nicole and Louis replaced series 12 panellists Cheryl, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw, and Simon re-joined the show the year before for the 11th season.