Louis Walsh, infamous Jedward manager and X Factor judge in the UK of eight years standing, is, in a shock move, set to become a part of X Factor USA’s judging panel. He will take up the hot seat alongside industry stalwarts Britney Spears, record executive LA Reid, and (relatively) new girl on the block, Demi Lovato.
The Mayo-born man is to temporarily replace head honcho Simon Cowell in the line-up for at least a weekend, due to Cowell suffering from a bout of bronchitis. Fresh from the Manchester X Factor auditions, Walsh has been flown via private jet to commence judging duties this weekend –- Friday June 8, and Saturday June 9, in Kansas City.
Surprising as Simon’s choice of fill-in judge may seem, this is not actually the first instance where Cowell has cherry-picked Walsh to act as his stand in. In 2010 he also covered for Simon during the Birmingham auditions for Britain’s Got Talent, and the Irishman was additionally drafted in to provide cover during the 2011 London leg of auditions when then-judge David Hasselhoff was unavailable.
Hopefully Cowell will be all recouperated by the time the next round of auditions take place, which are due to be held in San Francisco on June 16. If not, I’m sure Louis will be happy to keep his seat warm. Get well soon, Mr. C. And Louis, don’t be letting the side down. You owe us one for the whole Jedward debacle.
This was originally published on June 9, 2012, and can be seen, in edited form, here.
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April Barry 