Series 13 - Series 14
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
The X Factor: Celebrity (UK)
Season 2 (Guest) (USA)
X Factor Around the World (Around the World)Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish music manager and judge on The X Factor UK. He was briefly replaced by Brian Friedman for Series 4, but when Brian proved too critical, he was brought back. Walsh even got a chance to be a judge on The X Factor USA when he subbed for Simon Cowell, who had been sick, when the auditions took place in Kansas City, Missouri in June 2012. For Series 10 of The X Factor, Walsh mentored the Boys category, instead of the Groups and Overs category he was always assigned for the previous 8 years, as a reward for being the only judge to remain for the 10 years.
In May 2015, reports began to surface that he wouldn't be returing for Series 12. He stated he hadn't been hired, but he hadn't been sacked either, he just wasn't returning. On 18th June 2015, it was announced that he would be replaced by DJ Nick Grimshaw, fellow judge Rita Ora also replaced Mel B. Walsh briefly appeared in the intro of Week 7 of the Live Shows.
After the departures of Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, it was announced that he would be returning to the judging panel for the show's 13th series alongside Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger. In December 2016, he confirmed that he had signed on for two more series.
In 2017, he was assisted by Grammy nominated British singer-songwriter and former X Factor Italy judge Mika at his Judges' Houses.
Although it was initially reproted that he would be returning to the show for Series 15, in June 2018 he released a statement confirming his departure and was replaced by Louis Tomlinson.
It was announced in September 2019 that he would act as a judge alongside Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger on The X Factor: Celebrity. He went on to win the series with reality TV and singer Megan McKenna.
It was also announced that he would act as judge for the All Stars series. The series was later axed and was replaced by The X Factor: The Band.
On The 27 November 2019, It was announced that Walsh would not be judging on The X Factor: The Band.
He is the most successful judge on the UK version in terms of his acts reaching the finals since they have done so in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2016 and 2019.
During his time as a judge, he was often allocated the Groups category, especially in the years when it was the weakest category. He mentored the Boys and Overs categories a few times, where he had his most successful years with the former category.
Judges Rank[]
| Year | Category | Last Act | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Groups | G4 | Runners-up |
| 2005 | 16-24s | Shayne Ward | Winner |
| Celebrity (2006) | Over 25s | Lucy Benjamin | Winner |
| 2006 | Groups | The MacDonald Brothers | 4th |
| 2007 | Over 25s | Niki Evans | 4th |
| 2008 | Groups | JLS | Runners-up |
| 2009 | Groups | Jedward | 6th |
| 2010 | Over 28s | Mary Byrne | 5th |
| 2011 | Over 25s | Kitty Brucknell | 7th |
| 2012 | Groups | Union J | 4th |
| 2013 | Boys | Nicholas McDonald | Runner-up |
| 2014 | Groups | Stereo Kicks | 5th |
| 2016 | Groups | 5 After Midnight | 3rd |
| 2017 | Boys | Lloyd Macey | 4th |
| Celebrity (2019) | Under 31s | Megan McKenna | Winner |
![2004]](/wiki/File:Louiswalsh2004.jpeg "Louiswalsh2004.jpeg (508 KB)")
