Louis Walsh has confirmed that he will be back on British talent show The X Factor for its ninth season.
The Irish boy band impresario is the only ever-present judge in the history of the show since its launch back in 2004.
Confirming he has signed a contract, he also told The Mirror that he is unsure whether Kelly Rowland will return while hoping that she’ll commit for another season.
"I am so happy to have signed up for another year," Walsh said. "It's my ninth year, I'm the only person to be in it for nine years . . . I'm busy now from here until Christmas. I signed the deal yesterday - making it my ninth year on the show.
"I never wanted to be on TV, it was never in my plan,” he added. “But now I'm on it, I love the show."
As to who will be alongside him at the judges' table when the show returns, Walsh said: "I know two of the judges who are going to be beside me, but I still don't know who the fourth is going to be just yet.
"I know for definite that Tulisa [Contostavlos] is back, and Gary [Barlow] is back. I'm not sure if Kelly is back, but I hope she is, because she worked really hard last year."
