Stars in the frame have included Olly Murs, Rita Ora and even Khloe Kardashian, but now long-serving judge Louis Walsh has hinted that singer Ellie Goulding, 27, might beat them all to it.
Louis, 61, told a UK newspaper: “I’ve heard Ellie Goulding. I just hope it’s a girl.”
The Irish music manager, who is the only judge to have remained for all 10 series’ of the competition, isn’t actually confirmed to be coming back yet, and show sources dismissed his claims.
“There are a lot of people being discussed,” a source said. “The reality is, Louis isn’t involved in finding the fourth judge.
“Simon has given Cheryl the final sign-off on the new female judge because he wants her to work with someone she gets along with.”
That could be bad news for Louis, as Cheryl, 30, was recently quoted as saying she would rather have another female judge than see him return to the show this year.
Louis didn’t miss a chance to get his own back on the Geordie singer, with him saying of her: “She looks great and the public love her. She’s not the greatest singer or dancer but she knows how to perform.”
But if he had it his way, Louis said that he would bring Sharon Osbourne back with him. “Personally, I’d love Sharon back because she’d be great with Cheryl,” he said. “The fireworks would be magical.”
Despite the claims that Cheryl doesn’t want him back, Louis seems confident that Simon Cowell will override her, saying: “I haven’t signed a contract yet but Simon wants me back, so I’m happy to do another year.”
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