[michael21]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...on-Cowell.html

Judge Louis, 59, was forced into a humiliating apology live on air last night after branding 19-year-old wannabe Misha Bryan a bully.

Bosses also blame Cowell's switch to US X Factor for a fall in viewing figures. A massive 2.5 million fans have turned off X Factor during the current series — and ITV executives have begged Simon, 52, to return.

Last night Simon said cryptically: "I'm flattered that people are missing me — but I don't want anyone to miss the show."

Insiders suggested Simon could replace Louis next year, when the show will be in its ninth year.

A well-placed source said: "It doesn't take a genius to work out that Simon not being on has hit the ratings.


Louis talks ... Simon Cowell
"ITV are happy with the panel. They think they're great. But they realise when it comes to X Factor judges, there isn't anyone like Simon. He IS X Factor.

"Simon has a lot on his plate in America with the US X Factor but he has not ruled out a return.

"The likelihood is that Louis will be gone next year — and Simon could make a welcome return."

In the event that Louis goes but Cowell cannot return, the search will be on be on for a "Simon Mk2" to appear alongside Gary Barlow.

Louis was dumped briefly in 2007 and replaced by choreographer Brian Friedman — before Cowell rehired him.

ITV said: "The show remains the most popular entertainment programme and this is the second most popular series in its eight-year history."

[Jords]

Louis >

[Niamh.]

That would be a mistake. Simon and wannabe Simon (Gary) on the panal would be stupid. Louis is hilarious and always has the most entertaining acts. Big mistake Simon BIG HUGE

[Vicky.]

Why did only Louis have to apologize? Didnt Tulisa have a go too?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Why did only Louis have to apologize? Didnt Tulisa have a go too?

Yeah she did, infact I think she was the one who started it, though she may not actually have used the word Bully

[fruit_cake]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

That would be a mistake. Simon and wannabe Simon (Gary) on the panal would be stupid. Louis is hilarious and always has the most entertaining acts. Big mistake Simon BIG HUGE

I agree there doesn't seem to be room for two Simon types on the panel, Gary would probably have to have a personality transplant. From my point of view, another one of the biggest problems X-factor is facing is the enormous amount of commercial breaks in between, it's really putting me of watching it, I suspect I'm not alone in thinking that way.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by fruit_cake

I agree there doesn't seem to be room for two Simon types on the panel, Gary would probably have to have a personality transplant. From my point of view, another one of the biggest problems X-factor is facing is the enormous amount of commercial breaks in between, it's really putting me of watching it, I suspect I'm not alone in thinking that way.

Yeah, tbh if something else halfway interesting was on another channel at the same time, I would probably stop watching altogether

[Callum]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/...assurance.html

[Tom]

Louis won't be dropped, he's needed for the comedy value and if he was ever dropped then he'd be replaced by someone like Chris Moyles who wouldn't be afraid to treat the show as a joke. Simon and mini me would be almost as bad as having Cheryl & Tulisa on the panel together.

[Locke.]

Louis is the X Factor, it would be boring without him

[Saph]

Im sure Louis wont go. If they want to get rid of something then it should be Gary, he actually thinks he is Simon.. hopefully Simon comes back and replaces him.

[Lee.]

I love Louis Walsh as a person, but to me the show has outgrown him, and as a judge (and a mentor) I think he's pretty crap now.

I'd be over the moon if Simon replaced him next year... I reckon having two judges who actually speak sense would actually save the show.

[joeysteele]

The thing is he did really well with Shayne Ward and also recently JLS, sometimes for entertainment value wich is also a part of having the X factor is something Louis does recognise.

Love or hate Louis,the X Factor would be the worse for him not being there,he also has been dumped with the category that no one wants, the overs, for the last 2 years too. You can only do so much with what you are given and I think genuinely Louis cares about his acts regardless and does his best.

Jesting or not, Gary Barlow saying in the VT to him, let's agree that you sit where you sit and I sit in the head judges seat. What,just because he sits where Simon sat, Where on earth is he head judge,in a tie does his vote act like the casting vote.
No, it doesn't which means Gary sits at the end and is a mentor and judge like all 3 of the others.

I am not keen on Robbie Williams but I am beginning to see how big conflict arose between him and Gary.
No, keep Louis,it would be a mistake in the end to get rid of him.

[Jordan.]

As long as Simon is back I don't care who has to go.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Locke.

Louis is the X Factor, it would be boring without him

Exactly! For everything that he brings, Louis is essential to the xfactor Even when he annoys you, everything about him is the show.
Ithink he would be even more missed than Simon Cowell. You cant really replace Louis Walsh

[bbfan1991]

It's not true IMO because one of the reasons Simon left is to focus on his projects in America and he must be enjoying the lifestyle etc there.

Louis I think is a brilliant judge and he rightly like me sees the show more as a entertainment/personality show because the pantomime ratings/controversy and publicity hype is generated and chews people to then spit them out.

[_Seth]

Originally Posted by Callum

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/...assurance.html

May I just remind you that's EXACTLY what happened with Kate Thornton (<3), and she got fired without a word from Simon.

Personally, I hope Louis stays.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Phlip

May I just remind you that's EXACTLY what happened with Kate Thornton (<3), and she got fired without a word from Simon.

Personally, I hope Louis stays.

Kate got fired by ITV, not Simon

[_Seth]

Originally Posted by Tom

Kate got fired by ITV, not Simon

Simon's the executive producer, he decides everything.

[Doogle]

I remember when Louis got "fired" last time I was like crying.

He'd better not leave, the show needs him.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Phlip

Simon's the executive producer, he decides everything.

But it was ITV that sacked Kate, and they left it up to Simon to tell her

TV channels ultimately decide faces for programmes, another X Factor example being Cheryl Cole being dropped by Fox and not Simon

[Z]

The show isn't missing Simon, it's missing Dannii Minogue. Simon was crap last year because the only words to come out of his mouth were "I agree with Cheryl", she said inane ****e like "you look like a pop star" and Louis did his usual irrelevant "THE PUBLIC LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE insert nationality/wacky trait here" and added nothing to the show. Dannii was the only one who gave actual criticism and did it in an entertaining way. If Simon returned, as he was before he became a love sick puppy for Cheryl, then I'd welcome him replacing Louis on the panel, but going by what I've seen, I'd rather Gary Barlow disappeared before Louis, and I really hate Louis. Gary Barlow's got no personality at all.

[michael21]

wish they would fired Gary

[Annie]

I love Louis. I think he just lightens up the whole show. I love that he always has a whacky act through because they are the act that you look forward to seeing and talking about because of how big the production is or how crazy the outfit is. Its just amazing, and the way last year he couldnt say Wagners name correctly, I was in stitches everytime.
He just is a good giggle and should stay. And as for Gary saying he is head judge after all Louis's years of judging experience is ridiculous.

[Legend killer]

Louis is a way of life