Louis Walsh 'delighted last X Factor had poor ratings'

Louis Walsh says he was "delighted" the last series of X Factor had lower ratings.

An average of 8.2 million people each week watched last year's programme and that is down on recent years.

The Irish judge is back after missing last year, when he was replaced by Nick Grimshaw.

Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger will be joining Simon Cowell on the judging panel after Rita Ora also left the show.

As well as poorer ratings, its youngest ever winner, Louisa Johnson, only reached number nine in the Official Singles Chart at Christmas.

That was the lowest entry for any winner in the show's 12 series history.

"I was checking the ratings every week and saw it was getting lower," Louis told Newsbeat.

"I was delighted. I watched the show last year and I didn't think it was as good as it used to be.

"I thought there was something missing."

Louis Walsh says "the pressure is to do our best"

So did he call Simon and rant after the shows?

"Yes, it happened a few weeks. I'm good friends with Simon.

"I don't tell him what he wants to hear. An awful lot of people tell him that. I don't."

Louis is back alongside former host Dermot O'Leary.

Dermot reckons there's quite a bit of pressure on him and the judges to make this series work.

"It is a big show and ITV spend a lot of money on it and we want to do that justice.

"We try not to get too hung up on overnight ratings. A lot of people still watch the show.

"It can't keep you up at night."

Nicole Scherzinger, who has confirmed she will perform during the new series of the ITV programme

There has been speculation that Simon Cowell will shake up the format to get interest back in the show.

Simon has hinted that there may be a scoreboard so the acts can see what the public think during the live shows.

But Louis and Dermot wouldn't be drawn on that.

"I don't know," Louis told Newsbeat.

So what about the controversial six chair challenge?

"Every year I struggle with the six chair challenge," Louis admits.

Dermot is also not a fan.

"I don't like it. I'm not in charge of whether it will happen or not.

"I told Simon and he just said, 'I love the fact that you don't like it, but it is what it is.'"

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