After being re-hired to the X-Factor judging panel by text message, Louis Walsh wandered into dangerous territory today when he claimed that Simon Cowell would have passed on a young Elvis if he had auditioned for the programme.
Walsh, who manages such musical visionaries as Westlife and Girls Aloud, said: "If Elvis had auditioned I'd have put him through because I get it. He has the looks, the voice, the charisma. But I don't think Simon would have put him through. He wouldn't get it. Not unless it was very obvious - because that's what he likes. Sharon would have loved him. She loves quirky rock and roll".