X-Factor judge Louis Walsh has revealed that Simon Cowell re-hired him by text message. As previously reported, the Irish personality was sacked from the show last year but was later re-recruited after the auditions flagged with out the Irish numpty on the judging panel. Apparently Cowell begged Walsh to return, after using ITV execs to break the news of the original sacking, sending the Westlife manager a text reading: "We're sort of missing you". Other fellow judge Sharon Osbourne, meanwhile, sent one saying: "We wish you were here".
Speaking of the texts, Walsh released this statement: "I knew they were missing me. I did wonder whether it was a wind-up when Simon said, 'We'd love to have you back'. He was serious and told me to prepare for a call. Ten days later, the producer rang and said, 'We want you back.' I said, 'When?' He said, 'Monday!'"
Unfortunately for Walsh, his statement won't quash rumours that the job was handed back to him by default, after Cowell's first choice, Brian Friedman, turned down the job.