Simon Cowell has ditched his old mate Louis Walsh to try to make The X Factor more “down with the kids”.
New judges Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw may have brought their ice cream fights and street lingo, but there’s still a big Louis-shaped hole on the panel where the chuckling Irishman used to sit.
We don’t know how Simon is feeling, be we can’t help missing Louis – and here’s why.
1. The laughter
Louis was always getting the giggles, and once you’ve set him off, he can’t stop.
We loved watching Louis doubled over in fits of laughter – it brought some light relief to the sob stories of the long and painful audition process.
Like this time one of Louis’ fans got really excited about meeting him and he had to try really hard to pull himself together.
And Louis’ giggles are infectious. He was always setting his partner in crime Sharon Osbourne off as well. And it was even funnier when Simon would tell them off.
We hope Grimmers can be just as naughty. But he’d never have the guts to stand up to Simon the way his old pal Louis did.
2. Clashing with Cheryl
Louis and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini famously did not get along. They were always clashing and Louis loved to wind her up.
Like this time he told her she had given Katie Waissel the wrong song to sing.
And Cheryl was not impressed when Louis tried to sing her hit Fight For This Love to her.
This year the judges say they are all great buddies, but we hope they wind each other up a bit too – it’s more fun.
3. The Louis Walsh guide to talent show feedback
Louis usually had a good word to say about people, even if they weren’t very good.
In fact he became known for his catchphrases as he often said the same thing about everyone.
Here are Louis’s best known audition responses:
“All the girls/boys at home are gonna love ya…”
“You made that song your own…”
“You remind me of a young…”
And of course who can forget…
“You look like a pop star, you sound like a pop star!”
4. The Westlife plugs
Louis managed the chart-topping Irish boyband for 14 years – as if he’d ever let us forget it.
He loved mentioning his number one lads any chance he could get, and how many number ones he’d helped them get.
5. Banter with Simon
Simon and Louis worked together with Westlife and had known each other for years. Because they were such good friends Louis wasn’t afraid to give Simon a bit of backchat.
Watching the pair bicker like an old married couple sometimes gave the show a comedy feel.
6. The water fights
Louis actually always seemed to be the one getting water thrown at him, rather than dishing it out, but that’s because everyone knew he would take it in his stride.
Would anyone dare throw water on Grimmers’ quiff live on air and risk a sense of humour failure? We think not.
7. Causing a scene
When it came to making a decision on the live shows, Louis always found an excuse for some drama. He would say he couldn’t make up his mind, or refuse to give a yes or no so that the public vote had to be taken into account.
X Factor needs a drama queen. Are you ready Rita?
8. The charm factor
With host Dermot O’Leary gone too, what X Factor 2015 may be missing is some good old-fashioned charm.
Those chirpy chappies were always kind to everyone and so laid back. We hope the show doesn’t get too tense without them there to quell the pent-up nerves with their gallantry.
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