Louis Walsh slams Simon Cowell over 2007 sacking on 'ageism'

Louis Walsh who has said that Simon Cowell sacking him because of ageism was a "big mistake". Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Louis Walsh has said that Simon Cowell sacking him because of ageism was a "big mistake" - and that getting a lap dance from Robbie Williams was a favourite X Factor moment.

The Irish judge, 61, who has announced that he will be quitting the talent show after this year's series, was axed in 2007 but quickly reinstated.

He told the Radio Times that his return to the ITV show - and the moment pop star Williams gave him a lap dance last year - were two of his on-screen highlights.

Walsh was replaced by US dancer and choreographer Brian Friedman before he was asked to return.

X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

He said his other X Factor highlights were Osbourne drenching him with water in 2005, the success of boyband JLS, twins Jedward singing a Britney Spears number as well as getting a lap dance from Williams. He said of the incident with Osbourne:

The new series of hit singing show starts at 8pm on Saturday on ITV1.