Is Louis Walsh returning as a judge on X Factor ALREADY?

Louis Walsh was part of the X Factor for a whopping 11 series of the show before finally getting the boot this year.

And with him being kicked off in previous series just to be offered his job back, we wouldn’t be completely shocked if he made an appearance at some point on this year’s show.

However, it seems the judges are more interested in making digs at the poor guy at the moment than lining him up for a slot at one of the judge’s houses.

Show boss Simon Cowell and new judge Nick Grimshaw say Louis could make a comeback this year during “Boyzone week”, “stool week” or “key change week”.

Louis became successful as a music manager after launching boybands Boyzone and Westlife and he could perfectly fit in as a guest judge in a themed week of the live shows to match his experience.

Simon joked to The Sun: “We’ll do like Boyzone week or something.”

Nick added: “Stool week. We’ll have everyone sitting on stools!”

Getting into the flow, the radio DJ chirruped: “Key change week!”

However, on a more serious note, the panel – Simon, Nick, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini – understand that leaving the show has made Louis “happy”.

Nick said: “He came into the dressing room me and Rita had on a shoot and he was the happiest he’s ever been.

“He was like, ‘You two don’t know what you’ve got yourselves into’. He was really happy.”

Cheryl added: “He’s happier about it actually, I think, not being on the show.”

And Simon said: “The good thing for Louis is he’s going to be able to go to bed a bit earlier. He can watch the show in bed in his PJs and he can call me after the show.

“We’ve got him a couple of seats for the live shows, restricted viewing but we’re looking after him.”

Oh, Simon, you tease...

GALLERY: X Factor London auditions outfits