Louis Walsh slams Cheryl AGAIN as he talks new X Factor panel on This Morning

LOUIS Walsh took a sly dig at Cheryl Fernandez-Versini while talking about the new X Factor judging panel on This Morning.

The showbiz veteran opened up about returning to the the talent show after being dropped by Simon Cowell last year and didn't hold back when quizzed by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about the new series.

Louis is back on this year's panel with Simon, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne and took delight in saying he "gloated" to the Syco boss about the drop in ratings last year.

When asked about his relationship with former judge Cheryl, Louis said: "She was fine she was really good. I just prefer Nicole."

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Louis and Cheryl have had a tense relationship since he managed her as part of Girls Aloud after she won Pop Stars: The Rivals.

He then added that Nicole has an extremely hard work ethic:  "She's had three in the finals. I love her work ethic. She gets it. She really mentors over and above."

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Louis, 64, then gleefully admitted he was delighted when the show's ratings suffered last year.

He said: "I was gloating, because the ratings weren't very good.

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"There were too many changes. It was a different show. There was no Dermot, no me, no Sharon. It didn't have the warmth. It wasn't that family feeling."

Holly appeared a bit concerned about his honesty but Louis brushed it off and said: "I don't care! I prefer to tell it like it is.

"The panel this year really works. We like each other we really do."

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The former Westlife manager then revealed he was the one who convinced Simon to give Rylan Clark-Neal the Xtra Factor presenting job.

He said: "I was saying give Rylan the gig. Simon didn't know Rylan that well, as he had been away for he year. He didn't know how talented and funny he was."

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Louis also brushed off worries about The Voice as it moves from the BBC to ITV this year.

He said: "We're warming up for The Voice. I think it'll do better on ITV but they’ve never had a hit artist."

The X factor continues on Saturday at 8pm on ITV.

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