An unlikely ‘X Factor’ star has been tipped to be returning to the show, to help Louis Walsh at this year’s ‘judges’ houses’.
And no, before you ask, it’s not Wagner.
After being noticeably absent from the panel during last year’s series, Louis has reclaimed his spot at the judges’ table this year (alongside fellow returning stars Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger), and clearly means business when it comes to the competition.
According to Radio Times, he’s roped in series two winner Shayne Ward to help him select the contestants he’ll be mentoring during this year’s live shows.
While Shayne might seem like an unusual choice, let’s not forget that his victory in the second series marks the first - and, so far, only - time that Louis has mentored a winning act through the competition.
Shayne also remains the only ‘X Factor’ winner in history to release an original song as his winner’s single, topping the chart with ‘That’s My Goal’ in 2005.
Following that, he released a string of hits, including ‘No Promises’, ‘U Hang Up’ and the Max Martin-produced ‘If That’s OK With You’, before ultimately being dropped by Simon Cowell’s Syco record label.
He’s since launched a career in acting, and can currently be seen as Aidan Connor in ‘Coronation Street’.
Radio Times have also claimed that Shayne will be one of several stars helping Louis at ‘judges’ houses’, while it has been previously suggested that Simon will also be getting some help from an old face (and we have a feeling Sinitta is not going to be happy about it).
Tap the image below to launch the slideshow...