Yahoo News X Factor's Louis Walsh slated by former contestant
Former X Factor contestant Sam Callahan has given his honest opinion on Louis Walsh, believing that he's not the right fit to be a mentor on the show.
Sam was in Louis' category back in the tenth series in 2013. He finished in seventh place (Sam Bailey won that year).
But speaking on Fubar Radio (before the announcement regarding Louis' exit was made), he accused the judge of being behind the times.
"I think Louis's had his day, hasn't he?" he said. "Louis was obviously my mentor, and I didn't think he knew what he was talking about then.
"He's had some great boybands in the past, but the music industry changes so much. In the actual music industry, in the world I work and live in, you get so many people who once upon a time, 30 years ago, had a big hit.
"Do you know what, I'd rather have someone young and hungry and a bit more with the times, rather than someone who can tell me about their credentials but probably can't keep up in this day and age."
He added: "The music industry changes so much, and if The X Factor is supposed to be what it professes to be – a crash course for the music industry – then it needs people who are cutting-edge and who can keep up."
When one of the radio hosts asked Sam if his comments meant that "Louis isn't cutting it and keeping up", Sam replied: "That's my opinion, yeah."
Yesterday (Thursday, June 7), in a statement confirming his departure from the show, Louis said: "I've had a fantastic 13 years on The X Factor but the show needs a change and I'm ready to leave."
Sharon Osbourne will only appear during the live shows in a new "exciting" role, while a source told Digital Spy that Nicole Scherzinger is not returning, meaning Simon Cowell is looking for three new judges to sit beside him.
The X Factor is returning this autumn on ITV.
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