Louis Walsh believes the 'X Factor' ratings have plummeted because him and Dermot O'Leary have left the show.
Louis Walsh
The 63-year-old music manager - who was axed as a judge on the ITV talent show earlier this year - sent the former host a text message claiming their exit is the reason the singing competition is losing in the weekend ratings war.
Dermot, 42, said: "I haven't seen Louis for ages but I got a text from him last week saying, 'They are missing us, Dermot -- have you seen the ratings?' He was loving that."
The television host, who was dropped after eight years on the hit programme, has nothing bad to say about the ITV series but admitted he doesn't watch it any more.
He explained: "I don't watch it religiously now because I was on it for so long and I have got my weekends back."
However, despite Louis' subtle swipe at the show's slump in ratings, the former judge recently revealed he's been watching the new series and is feeling a bit nostalgic.
He confessed: "I do miss it a little bit actually. I actually do. I was watching it and I kind of missed being on it."
Louis thinks show boss Simon Cowell made a good decision stealing new judge Rita Ora from rival BBC show 'The Voice', but couldn't resist making a dig at his replacement, BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.
He added: "I think Rita's very funny. I think she's good, and Simon is okay. Cheryl [Fernandez-Versini] is Cheryl and the other guy, what's his name? Nick. He's trying, he's doing his best."
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