Irish music supremo Louis Walsh reckons this year's X Factor judging panel is perfect, yet they all have to watch their backs as big boss Simon Cowell is making them work harder than ever before.
He's the only X Factor judge who has appeared on every series of the singing contest – there's been 11 – but Louis Walsh knows he's on borrowed time.
Speaking ahead of this year's series, which begins on Saturday night (August 30) at 8pm on UTV and TV3, Walsh admits he knows he is only back because of his good friend Simon Cowell, who just happens to be the man in charge.
Simon's return has made everyone who works on the show really up their game. Walsh explains: "I think this year having Simon back is the most exciting thing. When he’s around everyone is better.
"Everyone works harder. We always have to prove why we’re there. He demands more. He’s sitting there looking at everything. He takes everything in. He scans the room."
There has been a lot of speculation that Cheryl in particular did not want Louis to return – might be some hang-ups from when he used to manage Girls Aloud – but if the rumours of a bad atmosphere between the pair are true, Walsh is not giving away anything.
Speaking about this year's panel he said: "This year is fantastic. This was meant to be. There’s good chemistry between all of us. Simon and Cheryl are very funny always annoying each other. Mel is just honest. This is the perfect X Factor panel, it really is."
