Louis Walsh set to leave X Factor next year

Former Boyzone, Westlife and Girls Aloud manager set to leave X Factor after 10 years as a judge.

After 10 years as a judge on ITV’s flagship reality TV singing contest X Factor, Louis Walsh is set to step down next year.

Louis revealed the news in an interview with TV Times magazine saying he is looking forward to returning to his day job of being a music manager.

"I'm happy this is going to be my last year," he said. "I've been judging X Factor for 10 years so I've done it all."

Louis, who celebrated his 61st birthday yesterday (Monday, August 5), has also appeared on You're A Star, Popstars, Popstars: The Rivals and Britain's Got Talent. During his tenure on X Factor, he has been instrumental in mentoring the likes of JLS, Jedward, Shayne Ward and Union J.