X Factor boss Simon Cowell has said Louis Walsh is a “dark horse” in the competition and could win this year.
The music mogul said he doesn’t know “whether it’s the luck of the Irish” of it he’s playing a “weird game” with the team.
But Simon thinks after surviving to this point with Only The Young and Stereo Kicks, he could finally win the X Factor again.
Dark horse: Simon thinks Louis could win | ITV
He said: “Louis is always the dark horse. You think, at one point, all your acts are going to go in the first four weeks. And, suddenly, at the end, he’s still got two left.
“I don’t know whether it’s the luck of the Irish or if he’s playing some sort of weird game with us. But, again, he’s very, very passionate about his acts, he really is.”
He added that the X Factor is “a roller coaster” and “hard work”, adding: “It takes a lot out of you because you get emotionally drained.”
Must win: Simon has told Stereo Kicks you need to win this year | ITV
But Simon has told acts, including Ireland’s Chris Leonard in Stereo Kicks, that you need to win this year.
He said: “Certain years you could argue it’s better not to win. I think it’s a pride thing, though.
“Even though One Direction didn’t win, it still sort of hurts, even though they’ve gone on to do great things, because you like to be known as the X Factor winner.
“It’s a badge. I think this year it’s going to be important to win.”
Simon added that he believes cheesy Stevi Ritchie has turned into this year’s Jedward, after he was saved on deadlock.
Recalling his time saving the twins, he said: “John and Edward were on and I took them to deadlock. The reason was, I was looking forward to seeing them more in the contest.”
