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BUNCH OF LOU-SERS

Louis Walsh slams ‘boring’ Strictly Come Dancing, saying it’s got nothing on X Factor

A YEAR ago was chomping at the bit to get on Strictly Come Dancing after he was unceremoniously dropped from the X Factor panel after 11 years.

But fast forward to now and his views have changed in a big way.

 X Factor judge Louis Walsh was once desperate to be on Strictly - but his views have now completely changed
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X Factor judge Louis Walsh was once desperate to be on Strictly - but his views have now completely changedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The Irishman has taken aim at the rival show, and ramped up the competition between the two.

In an exclusive interview, he said: “Listen, I watched Strictly last year. I found it boring. I got bored after a while, it was like, ‘Oh god, who are they and what are they doing?’

“The X Factor is the most talked about show on TV, everyone talks about The X Factor, no one talks about Strictly.”

 He now says he finds Strictly boring and irrelevant - especially compared to his own X Factor, "The most talked about show on TV"
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He now says he finds Strictly boring and irrelevant - especially compared to his own X Factor, "The most talked about show on TV"Credit: Fame Flynet

Except him given how last May, the same month I revealed his boss SIMON COWELL had dropped him from the panel after more than a decade alongside him, he said he’d spoken to fellow X Factor CAROLINE FLACK about signing up for the dance show.

At the time he said: “I can’t dance at all, that’s why it will be so good. I’d like to be partnered with Ola.

“I was in touch with Caroline when she was sacked, and she took a big chance when she went on Strictly.”

 Louis originally said he'd love to be on Strictly, and that viewers would love it because he can't dance
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Louis originally said he'd love to be on Strictly, and that viewers would love it because he can't dance

And he also defended the older panel line-up, with a combined age of 221, saying the wiser foursome of him, NICOLE SCHERZINGER, SHARON OSBOURNE and Simon bring a wealth of knowledge.

He said: “This year we bring experience. Sharon’s been around a long time, I’ve been around a long time, we know our music.

 This years X Factor judges have been criticised for being too old - but Louis says they bring a wealth of experience to the table
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This years X Factor judges have been criticised for being too old - but Louis says they bring a wealth of experience to the tableCredit: TV3 Publicity

“We know the politics of music, we know how record companies work. We also know what people are going to like.”

I’ll let JEDWARD slide.

CATHY'S SUN RISE

 Ex-Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley was snapped leaving a record studio yesterday, where she's recording a new album
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Ex-Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley was snapped leaving a record studio yesterday, where she's recording a new albumCredit: Mark Campbell

FORMER Corrie star CATHERINE TYLDESLEY’s outfit isn’t nearly as eclectic as her new music.

She was snapped in the sundress coming out of a radio station in Manchester where she spoke about launching her career as a singer.

But it doesn’t sound like she’s sticking to one genre.

 The album is an unconventional mix of genres - jazz, RnB and and salsa
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The album is an unconventional mix of genres - jazz, RnB and and salsaCredit: Splash News

Speaking ahead of the release of her debut single Rise, she said: “I’ve always sung but it’s been on the back burner for a while, it was a bit out of the blue.

“It’s predominately jazz but a bit of a mixture. Rise has a salsa and RnB vibe.”

Jazz, salsa and RnB? Don’t think they’ll be blasting that out in Roy’s Rolls.

STARK MADNESS

LOUIS THEROUX eat your heart out.

SCOTT MILLS’ Radio 1 sidekick CHRIS STARK has got a new job as a documentary-maker and his first film is an eye-opener.

 Scott Mills' sidekick Chris Stark is now working as a documentary presenter - his first covers weird festivals
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Scott Mills' sidekick Chris Stark is now working as a documentary presenter - his first covers weird festivals

Chris took a trip to Ohio to attend annual bash the Gathering of the Juggalos as part of his new series The World’s Most Extreme Festivals.

Extreme is putting it softly — Chris described it as “like stepping into a warzone”.

Along the way he meets a man with no nipples, watches a bare-knuckle fight and shares a tent with a bikini-clad stranger called Mankini.

 The first instalment of The World's Most Extreme Festivals covers the "Gathering of the Juggalos", which was apparently "like stepping into a warzone"
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The first instalment of The World's Most Extreme Festivals covers the "Gathering of the Juggalos", which was apparently "like stepping into a warzone"Credit: Rex Features

Chris is slightly worried about showing his mum the doc, which is out on iPlayer from today.

He said: “My mum has got used to seeing me doing some strange stuff on Radio 1, But I think I’ll get told off.”

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