X Factor judge, Louis Walsh has told The Daily Star that his pal Sharon Osbourne will be returning to the show next year, and that Aussie judge Dannii Mingogue will be forced to leave.

Louis told the newspaper that he had no doubts about Sharon’s return, adding: “Obviously Dannii would be the one to go – having Sharon and Cheryl on the show together is too good an opportunity to miss”.

He contined: “The thing about Sharon is she can’t be controlled. At the moment Simon has three judges who, let’s face it, he controls. With Sharon we never knew what she was going to do next – she was just so unpredictable. I really miss her but we speak on the phone at least twice a week.”

Louis went on to reveal that it was Sharon who was responsible for Cheryl getting her judging role this year, he said: “Cheryl has come in and is doing a fantastic job. She’s a natural and definitely has a career in television. She brings the emotion that Sharon did, without the mad streak. And, of course, she’s absolutely stunning.”

“It’s funny because it was actually Sharon who suggested Cheryl take over her role on the show. And it was me who put all the calls in and persuaded her to do it. The fact that she’s proved so popular is a credit to Sharon.”