Louis Walsh has admitted that he doesn’t think Danyl Johnson can win this year’s X Factor, because he isn’t “likeable” enough.

Louis added that although he doesn’t like Danyl as a person, he does respect him as a performer.

Walsh told The Independent: “He did the best first audition we saw. Brilliant. No matter what you throw at him, he’ll take it on. Vocally, he’s prepared to take risks and he’s not afraid to move around. But I don’t think he’s gonna win – he’ll be second or third.

“I don’t like him as a person, but as a performer he’s great. He’s got this bad vibe – he came in a bit sure of himself. Unlike everybody else, he’s been around the block, singing in karaoke competitions around London and he’s picked up a lot of habits from that.

“He has confidence but it’s all front – I don’t think deep inside he’s that confident. Any other year he could have been a potential winner but this year, he’s got a lot of competition and Joe [McElderry] and Olly [Murs] are more likeable.”

Louis also admitted that he finds Stacey Solomon a little annoying saying:

“She’s great but there’s some little thing missing for me. And I’m kind of over the silly stuff – I’ve found that just a little bit annoying, even though that’s what she really is like.”

Walsh also predicted that Joe McElderry will win this years series saying: “In the studio he’d record incredibly well. He’s the one to beat. In fact, he’s gonna walk it.”