It’s out with the new and in with the old
X FACTOR judge Louis Walsh insists oldie power will save the talent show.
Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Cole and Rita Ora were replaced by Louis, Sharon Osbourne and another former favourite, Nicole Scherzinger, for the current run.
And Louis, 64, says the veteran panel bring back an allages audience.
“The big thing is, we’ve got experience in the music business,” Louis told The Sunday Post.
“Sharon and I are managers, Simon’s a record company and TV person and then Nicole is just the best ever.
“There’s nobody better than her on any show I’ve ever been on. She can do any kind of music plus she came from this background.
“So she’s earned it and she knows it. She puts the rest of us to shame.”
The American star shines far brighter than Geordie Cheryl, according to the ever-vocal Louis. And DJ Grimshaw was also in his sights.
“Cheryl was OK but Nicole’s in a different league altogether,” insisted Louis, who managed Boyzone and Westlife.
“And it wasn’t Nick Grimshaw’s fault but he’s never booked out a band like I have.
“He just presses buttons on Radio 1 in the morning. Sharon and I know what it’s like to get a record deal and lose a record deal, to be successful or to fail.
“You have to do all that. It’s a tough, tough business.”
Louis said he was happy to be away from the show as the flak rained down last year. And he revealed that old pal Cowell realised he was at the helm of a lost cause from the very first show.
“I was talking to Simon that night and he knew, but it was too late for him to make any changes.
“He wanted to bring me back last year as a fifth judge but that wouldn’ t really have worked.”
While he’s loving being part of the panel this year, Louis knows it’s up to show boss Cowell whether or not he’ s invited back.
“I’ll be