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WALSH-ING BACK IN

Louis Walsh to make ‘surprise appearance’ on X Factor after his judging panel exit

Louis has been replaced by Robbie Williams, his wife Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson on The X Factor

LOUIS Walsh is set to make a 'surprise appearance' on The X Factor after being axed from the show, according to the Daily Star.

Fans were left stunned when the Irish entertainment manager was replaced by Robbie Williams, his wife Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson on The X Factor judging panel this year.

 Louis became a household name after starring in the show
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Louis became a household name after starring in the showCredit: Rex Features

Louis is poised to return however in a new twist which sees him appear alongside one of the bands he managed called Hometown.

Fans who thought they had seen the last of him, will see the former Westlife manager once more, when the newly revamped show is back on ITV on the weekend.

The pop manager appears when one of his former protégés auditions for the new judges.

Brendan Murray was a member of Louis’ boyband Hometown.

Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson to perform together on the new series of The X Factor
 Louis Walsh was axed from the show in a shocking new shake-up
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Louis Walsh was axed from the show in a shocking new shake-upCredit: Rex Features
 Brendan was a member of Louis band Hometown
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Brendan was a member of Louis band HometownCredit: Photocall Ireland

Brendan comes on the show and tells X Factor supremo Simon Cowell about his past pop history with the band, who scored two number ones in Ireland with Cry For Help and Where I Belong.

Brendan is now pursuing his dream of being a solo star.

A source told the: “By the nature of the show, there will be footage of Hometown with their manager Louis shown on the programme.

“So just when everyone thought he had gone, he’s back in spirit, as it were.”

 Louis shot to fame on the X Factor but was axed alongside Sharon Osbourne to make way for new names
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Louis shot to fame on the X Factor but was axed alongside Sharon Osbourne to make way for new namesCredit: Rex Features
 Hometown had two number one hits in Ireland
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Hometown had two number one hits in IrelandCredit: Rex Features

The show has undergone a dramatic shake-up in a bid to keep up with its rival Strictly Come Dancing.

The X Factor has been given a multi-million pound make-over in what's reportedly the most expensive shake-up to date, according to The .

Simon Cowell has spared no expense on the new line-up by roping in Louis , Robbie and Ayda as new judges.

The husband-and-wife duo are said to have signed a deal worth £10 million, and Louis, 26, is believed to be making £4 million.

The massive salary packages, plus playing out the contracts of former judges Louis Walsh, 65, and Sharon Osbourne, 65, has made this the priciest series yet, according to The Mirror.

The report suggests the deals were made in a bid to finally knock Strictly Come Dancing off the ratings top spot.

The BBC1 dance show averaged 11 million viewers last year, while The X Factor failed to top eight million.

A source told publication: “This is costing ITV a huge expense, it will be one of the most expensive shows on TV.

"Everyone, including Simon, thinks it’s going to be a success."


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