You know, we do like ourselves a bit of Louis Walsh but sometimes we just want to wring his neck – he gave the lovely Paul Akister the boot at the judges’ houses stage of The X Factor in 2013 before he returned and made it to the live finals last year.
Show judge Louis insisted Paul just “wasn’t ready” but, away from the aspiring pop star, he’s openly elaborated on his true reasoning, saying he wanted him to “lose weight” and “get a personality”. Wow.
Paul was gutted when he was voted off the last series in ninth place having lost out in a deadlock against Jay James, meaning he would not be performing in the nationwide live tour.
But Louis’ fellow judge Mel B literally begged tour bosses to let him perform at the gigs - and they have! Hoorah!
Paul will be taking his vocal cords to the Manchester shows and using them to warble away in the name of entertainment.
He said: “I’m so excited to be part of The X Factor Live Tour. Performing in my hometown arena is a dream come true and I cannot wait to see everyone again.”
Mr Akister will be a part of the Manchester matinee performances on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February.
The tour kicks off on 13 February in Belfast and tickets are on sale now.
GALLERY: X Factor 2014 - all the finalists from judges' houses
X Factor 2014 24 finalists
The Boys - Andrea Faustini
Age: 20From: Rome, Italy
Danny Dearden
Age 23From: Rochdale
Paul Akister
Age: 25From: Lancashire
Jordan Morris
Age: 20From: London
Jake Quickenden
Age: 26From: Scunthorpe
Jack Walton
Age 18From: Townville
The Girls - Lola Saunders
Age: 20From: Southshields
Stephanie Nala
Age: 20From: Hertfordshire
Emily Middlemas
Age: 15From: Glasgow
Chloe Jasmine
Age: 24From: West London
Lauren Platt
Age: 16From: Essex
Kerrianne Covell
Age: 23From: Teeside
The Overs - Helen Fulthorpe
Age: 33From: Cardiff
Fleur East
Age: 26From: East London
Lizzy Pattinson
Age: 31From: Barnes
Jay James
Age: 31From: Sandersfoot, Wales
Stevi Ritchie
Age: 34From: Essex
Ben Haenow
Age: 29From: Croydon