The big question at yesterday’s official press launch of the X Factor at London’s 02 Arena, was whether these judges would ever fill the shoes of the mighty Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole.
Strolling down the red carpet like they’d been part of the show for years, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos, and Gary Barlow certainly showed the crowds of fans waiting that they were ready to take on the coveted roles and that they meant business.
Along with veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh, the foursome were dressed to impress and dying to take any questions we threw at them.
Speaking to RTÉ TEN about his new TV role, Take That member and heart-throb Gary Barlow said: “We’re here, the shows starting on Saturday but it’s beyond this show I’m excited. I’d love to stay involved and be able to help these people find their way. But that’s what I feel like we’re doing here I think you’re going to be incredibly lucky for someone to walk onto that stage as a fully formed package ready to go, it doesn’t happen."
Barlow said the hardest part about being on camera "is learning to be you."
"If I’d have been starting out, I would’ve done the show. Nowadays it’s less all about the story."
Kelly on the other hand had something to get off her chest. When asked which song has been battered by this year’s auditionees, Rowland immediately answered: “Its Price Tag, and I love me some Jessie J, I’ve seen Jessie live and she is just phenomenal but if I hear Price Tag one more time I just might run."
"It’s just so crazy. But everybody loves that song and I’m happy that Jessie’s been very successful but Lord have mercy everybody wanna sing that song in this audition and we’re like what’s your name such-and-such and what are you going to sing- Price Tag, next five people, oh ye what’s your name what you going to sing- Price Tag. It’s like, ye I’ll be back.”
Tulisa and Kelly say they laugh off reports that they are in competition in the fashion stakes
Irish judge Louis Walsh( who calls Kelly his boo boo) supports Jedward’s decision to go into the Big Brother house. He said: “Everywhere they go everybody’s happy. They have never stopped working since they went out of the X Factor house, every day work work. All around Europe now and America.”
"At least they’ve got each other so they’re going to be happy."
Louis assured TEN that there’s a few good Irish contestants in there this year but was very vague on how far they will go. He said: "There’s some really good people at the moment but I don’t know if they’re going to survive. I can remember four but I don’t know, I don’t know who’s going to survive."
Although he admitted that he will miss the other three judges, he was adamant that this panel has brought something fresh to the show.
"I want this show to be bigger and better than ever. We’re going to miss Simon, he was an idol but bye bye.
"There’s a new energy, new vibe we’re working harder. We’re really into it. Thursday is the final boot camp, Friday we get our categories. We’re taking it all so serious."
Meanwhile, new judge Tulisa, whose mother hails from Churchtown, commented on the unusual relationship between her and Louis.
She said: "Aw Louis, he’s my little muffin. I love Louis to pieces I mean what an unexpected relationship, everybody thought oh you know they said Louis and me would be getting into arguments and clashing."
When asked about the weekly fashion-off between her and fellow judge Kelly Rowland, Tulisa said: "Luckily me and Kelly get on like a house on fire so we just laugh at it. It doesn’t really matter."
The X Factor starts this Saturday on TV3 at 8:00pm.
Walsh and Barlow looking very serious
