Louis Walsh has fessed up to something that most viewers already know. The last series of The X Factor "wasn't really great".
The show, which returns this weekend to TV3, became a ratings disaster last year and was consistently trounced by Strictly Come Dancing in viewership numbers.
There were also complaints over the dullness of the new judging panel which included Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and the absence of host Dermot O'Leary, which had fans abandoning the show in droves.
This year Louis has been coaxed back to the show alongside former judges Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger in the hopes of recapturing some of the old magic. However the Mayo man was fairly candid that all the changes introduced last year, with the aim of bringing in a younger audience, just simply didn't work.
"The ratings weren't good. And it wasn't much fun. I watched it at home and it wasn't like the old X Factor. It's a family entertainment show and you need people who like working together, who are fun and enjoy it," he said at the show's launch.
Walsh also modestly added: "Simon is always fighting and always wants the best. With Sharon, Nicole and me he's got the best. The panel is better than ever. Off camera we're all best friends."
Meanwhile Dermot O'Leary has admitted that he was surprised to be asked back to host the show. Pop star Olly Murs and presenter Caroline Flack hosted the series in 2015 but the pair were criticised for making a string of gaffes.
"I missed it. In my heart I definitely missed it. To be honest, when I made the call to leave I thought that the ship has sailed. I was surprised", he said.
However not all of the recent changes introduced to the show are being dropped. O'Leary confirmed that the Six-Chair-Challenge will be back this year despite complaints from viewers over its cruelty in whittling down contestants.
"I've never been the biggest fan (of the six-chair challenge)," he said. "This year we are doing it again and it's not the easiest bit of telly."
However the good news for fans of the show is that the audition rooms are back and with the show travelling to Dublin this year there's bound to be lots of Irish talent featured. Viewers can also expect acts including a "living doll" and a woman who stormed into the audition room uninvited.
The X Factor is on TV3 on Saturday at 8pm.
