X Factor judge Louis Walsh has admitted that he loves the show’s new format and thinks that the added excitement of a live audience will help ITV beat BBC’s Strictly in the ratings war.

“It’s much better,” Louis told What’s On TV. “Simon wasn’t happy on the first day of auditions in Glasgow and said he was going to change the show.

“Simon knows what he’s doing on TV, he’s got a fantastic instinct and now it’s bigger, better and we’re going to kill Strictly! It’s going to be the best show on TV, there’s going to be nothing to touch X Factor!

“I do think there’s an audience for both shows, but this is our best, most exciting year ever,” he continued. “The production values have gone up, we’ve got the biggest guests you can get, the talent is better, it’s the same panel of judges and we’re all getting on really well this year… so far!”

Louis also expressed his disappointment in the BBC for sacking Arlene Phillips.

“Poor Arlene, they should have kept her and brought in Alesha Dixon because they would have sparked off each other.”