Louis Walsh: Q & A

How are you feeling to be embarking on your fifth series of The X Factor?
I am really excited, I love doing the show so much, every year we have such a good laugh and although I am going to really miss Sharon this year I'm delighted Cheryl has joined the show, and if the audition filming has been anything to go by we are in for a lot of laughs this year. It really is a big part of my life now though and its something I always look forward to and get really involved in, even if it can be like living in a soap opera sometimes!

You discovered Cheryl during Popstars - The Rivals, do you remember her audition?
Of course I do! Cheryl always really stood out for me and to see Girls Aloud still going strong six years later is amazing and a real testament to all their hard work, I'm really proud of Cheryl and all the girls.

What is it like having managed Cheryl in Girls Aloud to now have her on the show as a fellow Judge?
It's amazing how far she has come in six years and it's like she's completing the cycle, coming from a reality show, having a hugely successful career and now she's judging future stars. The great thing about Cheryl is that she knows exactly what the contestants are going through because she has been there and done it so can offer them all really good advice, and empathise with how they feel.

You have had a lot of presents and attention given to you this year from the older female contestants, how does that make you feel?
It's quite nice! Although Simon will take the micky out of me for days afterwards, and they always seem to be the older ladies not the young ones. It's when Simon starts handing out my phone number to them that I get annoyed. Beula, from series 2 still rings me now after Simon gave her my number all those years ago!

What do you look for in an audition?
Obviously they need to sing well but it's not just about the strength of someone's voice, you also need to have the performance to go along with it. You want to be able to work with someone that has a great personality as well as a great voice as it just makes our jobs so much easier. I don't want to work with a wannabe I want to work with someone who really wants to break into the music industry. That's the beauty of X Factor, you meet people who have amazing voices but without this show would never be heard.

What do you enjoy most about the audition days?
I just love the banter we all have on the Judging panel. Simon and I are the two old blokes who like a particular style of music then you have Dannii and Cheryl who obviously have completely different music tastes so it makes for an interesting day as we are always bickering over acts and who we all prefer, not to mention all the fun we have in between filming. But this year has been really great and I did love filming the auditions especially when that one person walks into a room and lights it up with their personality and talent, that's when it makes all the long filming days worthwhile.

What are the most memorable auditions this year and why?
There are a few but Ant and Seb in Cardiff had to be my favourite. We all couldn't stop laughing because they were so bad but they thought they were so good.

Which city came up with the most talented singers this year?
It would have to be London this year, we had some really strong acts come through, one group in particular really stood out, and Manchester delivered good talent as it does most years. Cardiff however was a bit of a let down.

Which category would you like to mentor this year and why?
Well every year I say I don't want the groups, but we have had a few strong groups come through so I might change my mind this year.

In your view, what is The X Factor?
It is someone that not only has an amazing vocal ability but also the personality and stage presence to win over an audience. It is hard to quantify but Cheryl used to say in the audition room that some people just have the "magic stardust" about them and I completely agree with that. Some people just shine.