Louis Walshâs place on The X Factor 2012 panel has now been officially reserved.
The Irish manager will join Gary Barlow for the ninth series of the ridiculously popular singing show which he has been a part of since its TV birth in  2003.
Louis appears to be positively combelling at the news: âIâm back! Itâs my ninth year on the show and as the only remaining original judge Iâm delighted to take my seat once more on the judging panel.â?
So Gary and Louis are all set – but no female names have yet been confirmed. Tulisa Contastavlos – sexiest woman in the world – is supposedly coming back thanks to the promise of a hefty £500, 000 pay check. And the rumour mill has already spewed forth mention of a potential return for Dannii Minogue to take the place of Kelly Rowland. Lily Allen and Katy Perry are also rumoured to have been approached.
Simon has some big decisions to make, but letâs not get ahead of ourselves X Factor fans. What does the mogul think of the Irish manâs return? âThe show wouldnât be the same without Louisâ?, he gushed. âI am really happy he is coming back. I hope he has an opportunity this year to show what an astute manager he is.â?
His last successful winner was back in 2005 with Shayne Ward, so we wonât hold our collective breath.
Once the final line-up has been confirmed, the panel buddies will be hitting the road with a Mobile Audition van in a bid to spread the talent search net even wider. Hopefuls can also belt out their bestist ballad via the medium of Facebook this year.
X Factor 2012 is set to return to our TV screens in late summer.
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