‘The X Factor’ UK: Louis Walsh blasts Cheryl Fernandez-Virsini, and the sniping begins

Well, it did not take Louis Walsh very long at all to commence a war of words after being removed from the “X Factor” equation going into next season. If some of his latest comments are valid, he is not too fond of one of his fellow judges in Cheryl Fernandez-Virsini, who return to the panel last year after some time away.

Speaking per Heatworld, Louis was ironically much more candid and upfront about Cheryl than he has been about almost anything when it comes to the series over the course of the past several years:

“Cheryl wasn’t great last year, she’s sometimes lazy and lacks energy. She needs to give more, she can give so much more. She’s irrelevant these days. I know people say the same about me, but apart from anything, I am fun and I have a rapport with Simon [Cowell] … Personally, I’d rather have Mel B on the panel. I love her – but that’s not going to happen.”

What we do find ourselves wondering at the moment is mostly why in the world Cowell or production as a whole feels the need to turn this judging panel into a carousel. We really do not think that it is struggling because of people offering up advice; instead, it is more about finding the right talent, and also a format that just is not what it once was. There’s almost nothing new that a show like this can give people that they have not seen at some other point over the course of the series’ history.

Surprised about Louis’ comments, and do you agree? (Personally, we like both Cheryl and Mel!) Share in the comments, and head over here to get some other recent scoop on the future of “The Xtra Factor.” You can also sign up here to get some further news worth singing about via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)