Louis Walsh thinks this could be his last year on The X Factor…could we be that lucky?

The Irish star has judged on the show for each of it’s previous eight series and will return to the panel for the ninth later this month. However he seems to think that his luck is running out and boss Simon Cowell may cut him before the return in 2013.

The former Westlife boss told The Sun that he is elated to be back, but worried about the future, explaining:

“I can’t believe it is my ninth year on X Factor.

“But I really don’t know if I’ll make it to ten.

“If I work hard, I’ll get the job. If not, Simon will let me go. It’s going to be hard work this year, really hard work. Simon will be cracking the whip.

“He makes the best shows but nobody is safe to stay. If I don’t make ten years I’ll have a lot on next year anyway.

“I’m going to manage Shane Filan’s solo career after Westlife split up.”

The X Factor 2012 panel is almost complete with both Take That’s Gary Barlow and N-Dubz’s Tulisa confirmed for a return. However Kelly Rowland will not be back and as yet, her seat is still vacant.

Bookies are tipping Katy Perry or Dannii Minogue as her replacement, though Dannii seemed to hint that she wouldn’t be returning to the ITV show, because of the disruption it would cause to her son Ethan’s life.

Would you like to see Louis back next year? Who do you think should replace Kelly? leave your comments below…