Former X Factor judge Louis Walsh has said singing shows are reaching their end point.
The Irish music mogul spent 13 years on Simon Cowell’s programme and is now a judge on Ireland’s Got Talent.
Asked by radio presenter Ray D’Arcy on RTE Radio 1 whether such programmes were coming to an end, Louis replied: “I think the singing shows are. But I think with variety it’s really working.
Read more: Simon Cowell planning TWO series of X Factor this year
“Everyone is going to watch Britain’s Got Talent. I think our show works here because it’s different and a lot of young people are watching Ireland’s Got Talent.”
“I think the singing shows are kind of fading, if I’m honest with you,” he added.
Discussing why some of the singing programmes do not produce huge stars, Louis said people tend to succeed if Simon is in their corner.
“Simon is an amazing force to work with,” he said. “If you’ve got Simon on your side and he believes in you, that’s it, you work. But he has to believe in you.”
Louis said Simon had a huge impact on his life.
“He kind of changed my life because I did Westlife with him,” he said. “I used to talk to him every single day and then he put me on TV in England.”
Talking about keeping touch with Simon, Louis said: “He actually doesn’t have a phone. He doesn’t have a mobile phone.
“But I know how to get in touch with him. I have the housekeeper’s number, I have his PA’s number, I have his girlfriend’s number.”
Last year, Louis announced he was leaving The X Factor.
The star appeared on all but one of the talent show series since it first aired in 2004 but announced in June last year that he was moving on to focus on other projects.
Read more: Sharon Osbourne makes shock claim about The X Factor sacking
He said in a statement: “I’ve had a fantastic 13 years on The X Factor but the show needs a change and I’m ready to leave.
“I’m looking forward to another series of Ireland’s Got Talent, going back to my day job as a manager, writing my memoirs and seeing the world!”
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