'I Won't Leave The X Factor If Simon Comes Back'

Louis Walsh has gone back on his word that he will leave 'The X Factor' after the end of the current series, saying he will return for an eleventh run if Simon Cowell also makes a comeback.

The long-standing judge announced he would be departing the show earlier this month, claiming he 'wanted his life back', but now it appears he could be persuaded to stay after all.

Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell

He told the Radio Times: "I've been doing it ten years. It's an awful long time to be on the show. I don't want to be pushed. I'd prefer to leave than be pushed. To leave on my terms.

"Now if Cowell came back, I might come back. The two of us, we would not stop laughing. If Simon called me up and said… but, oh well. Let's see what happens."

• 
  

  Series 1-3 (2004-2006)

  
  

  The original line-up: Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh

  
  


• 
  

  Series 4 (2007)

  
  

  All change: Dannii Minogue joins Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne, with Brian Freidman replacing Louis Walsh.

  
  


• 
  

  Series 4 (2007)

  
  

  The return of the Walsh: Louis makes a comeback after Brian Freidman is axed from the panel after only a few days of auditions.

  
  


• 
  

  Series 5-7 (2008-2010)

  
  

  The Cheryl era: Cheryl Cole replaces Sharon Osbourne, joining Simon, Dannii and Louis.

  
  


• 
  

  Series 8 (2011)

  
  

  A mass exodus: Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Kelly Rowland join the only original remaining judge, Louis Walsh.

  
  


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  Series 9 (2012)

  
  

  Schermazing: Nicole Sherzinger replaces Kelly Rowland, joining Gary, Tulisa and Louis.

  
  


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  Series 10 (2013)

  
  

  She's BACK! Sharon Osbourne rejoins the panel after five years, replacing Tulisa and joining Louis, Gary and Nicole.

  
  

Simon - who quit the show in 2010 to focus on 'The X Factor USA' - has been linked with a return next year after, after ITV pleaded with him to make a comeback as part of their on-going negotiations over the show's new contract with the broadcaster.

Gary Barlow is also thought to be departing after the upcoming tenth series finishes at Christmas to focus on Take That, paving the way for Simon's return.

However, his PR spokesman Max Clifford played down the reports to The Guardian, telling them: "Obviously, everybody to do with the show wants Simon because he gives it an extra quality, we understand that, but with his commitments over there he simply can't be in two places at once."

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