The X Factor is branding rumours of a return from original judge Louis Walsh as "speculation" for now.

Walsh was reported by The Sun to have made a deal to come back as a neutral fifth judge alongside Simon Cowell, Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini for the upcoming live shows.


Sources told the newspaper that X Factor bosses reached the decision to bring Walsh back in a bid to boost ratings, especially as Strictly Come Dancing kicks off this weekend.

However, a spokesperson for The X Factor has since told Digital Spy : " The X Factor is one of the most watched shows on TV. It continues to draw millions of viewers each weekend with millions more watching on catch up. A total of 9.6m watched the opening episode including 2m on demand.

"The live shows do not start until the end of next month and any talk of plans at this stage is speculation."

Walsh was the only original judge to stay with The X Factor through 11 series, prior to his departure earlier this year.


Just this last week, he appeared lukewarm in discussing his X Factor replacement Nick Grimshaw .

"I'm not sure about Grimshaw. I haven't seen much of him," the former judge told The Daily Star Sunday .

"People don't like change and I think they miss Dermot and maybe some people miss me."


Simon Cowell hinted to Digital Spy over the summer that he was interested in bringing Walsh back in some capacity , although speculation had largely been confined to an appearance during Judges' Houses.

In response to falling ratings this series, X Factor executive producer Richard Holloway recently hinted that the series could be due a rest .

His suggestion of an X Factor hiatus was subsequently echoed by former contestants Little Mix in an interview with Digital Spy this week.


"I think The X Factor is a brilliant show, but it has [been on] every year and maybe people will appreciate it more," Jade Thirlwall said.

Her bandmate Jesy Nelson added: "It's getting a bit predictable. You kind of know what's going to happen. Simon's going to go [raises hand], 'Give me another song', and all that."

The X Factor kicks off its Boot Camp rounds beginning on Sunday (September 27) on ITV.