Louis Walsh is loving that X Factor is struggling without us, says Dermot O’Leary
According to the former host, the ex-judge is rather chuffed to see that his departure hasn’t increased the ITV singing show’s success
Former X Factor judge Louis Walsh is apparently quite chuffed that the talent show hasn’t picked up more viewers since his departure.
The new series is the first time in its 12-year history that The X Factor has run without Walsh as a full-time judge. And, as overnight viewing figures continue their slump compared with last year, former host Dermot O’Leary – who also left after the last run – says Walsh is “loving” it.
“I haven’t seen Louis for ages, but I got a text from him last week saying, ‘They are missing us, Dermot – have you seen the ratings?’ He was loving that,” O’Leary told The Sun.
Ratings have sat between 6 and 7 million so far this year, while the show enjoyed audiences of more than 8 million around the same time last year when Walsh was on board.
Of course, while we’re certainly missing O’Leary’s backstage hugging action and Walsh’s catchphrases, consolidated figures have painted a much better picture. The audience for the opening episode was up two million as viewers turned to catch-up to get their X Factor fix, suggesting Simon Cowell's plan to attract more young viewers, who like to watch their favourite shows when hey want, could be working.
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It will be interesting to see how X Factor will do with its first live broadcast of the year for the Judges’ Houses round, which could attract a more ‘event telly’ crowd on the night.
BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing is also yet to kick into gear, although its first live weekend won’t see a clash with X Factor, the former airing on Friday and Saturday on a weekend that X Factor has just a Sunday night show due to ITV's commitment to the World Cup rugby.
Of course, rumours persist that Walsh will return to X Factor at some point anyway. Cowell himself joked they could have a 'judge of the week' episode. Now that will give Lou Lou a proper chance to see how much he's been missed…
The X Factor continues this Saturday (8pm) and Sunday (7pm) on ITV
