Louis Walsh

Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) known as Louis Walsh is an Irish entertainment manager and judge on British television talent show The X Factor. Originally from Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Walsh moved to Dublin to get a start in the music industry. He managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone and Westlife, three of Ireland's most successful pop artists in the 1990s and 2000s. In later life, Walsh began an alternative career as a television talent pundit and personality. He has been a judge on The X Factor since the show's inception in 2004 (with the exception of 2015, when he left the show only to return in 2016). He has mentored the "Groups" category six times and the "Overs" category three times. He was the winning judge of the show's second series, mentoring Shayne Ward. He has also appeared on You're a Star, Popstars and Popstars: The Rivals. Walsh has also guest judged on Britain's Got Talent a number of times and on The X Factor USA in 2012.