Louis Walsh says gin is the best cure for a broken heart.
The 'X Factor' judge was quizzed about his fail-safe heartbreak cure ahead of this Saturday's live shows (19.10.13), during which contestants will perform songs with the theme of Love and Heartache.
The Irish music manager chuckled: "My advice to anyone trying to overcome heartbreak? A bottle of gin! I love these big powerful love songs. I love the power of love. I know it's cheesy but I do love it."
Meanwhile, fellow judge, Take That frontman Gary Barlow, mused that having appropriate life experience is the only way to write a tear-jerking song.
He told the Metro newspaper: "You need to either be in love or you have to have had your heart broken. I would recommend one of those to whoever is going to write a love song."
Nicole Scherzinger agreed, saying her money is on Louis' boys category - dreadlocked student Luke Friend, 17, schoolboy Nicholas McDonald, 16, and 19-year-old Essex lad Sam Callahan - to struggle with the more mature theme this week.
Nicole - who makes up the rest of the judging panel with Sharon Osbourne - reflected: "The younger contestants may struggle, because they have had less life experience".
However, the former Pussycat Dolls singer - who this week met up with her ex-lover Lewis Hamilton - is confident her 17-year-old act Hannah Barrett will be fine as she is "an old soul".
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