X Factor drama as Louis Walsh replaces Simon Cowell on US show

Best buds: Simon Cowell (right) turned to Louis Walsh when he fell ill©Copetti/Photo Fab/Rex Features

Louis Walsh has been flown to America to stand in for Simon Cowell on X Factor USA, after the show boss was struck down by illness.

Simon is believed to be suffering from a bout of bronchitis and has been forced to drop out of the US auditions.

So he called on his long-time friend and X Factor UK judge Louis Walsh who was immediately jetted over to Kansas City as a replacement for today and tomorrow (June 8 and 9).

Louis is currently in the middle of the UK X Factor auditions in Manchester – which come to Glasgow this Monday – when he was whisked away and flown to the USA.

“He [Simon] said he’d sorted out a private jet for him and he was to get on it as soon as he finished up in Manchester,” a source told The Sun.

“He greased the wheels with the US bosses, telling them that Louis was the man who knew more about the X Factor than any other judge.”

It’s no surprise that Simon called on Louis – he is after all an X Factor veteran, having appeared as a judge since the very beginning of the UK show back in 2004.

The Irish music mogul, who has managed the careers of boy bands including Westlife and Boyzone, will now join L.A. Reid as well as new recruits Demi Lovato and Britney Spears on the judging panel.

Simon is said to be hoping to return to the panel in time for the next round of auditions in San Francisco on June 16.

Meanwhile Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos continue the UK auditions, with a new guest judge filling the slot each week. Spice Girls star Mel B is the current recruit, and others have included singer Rita Ora, former Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell, and X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

It might be a good thing Louis is away from the panel for a while; it seems that he has been clashing with Gary over their opinions of the wannabes who have auditioned for the show, ITV.com reports.

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