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Louis Walsh (born Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland, August 5, 1952) is a manager in the music industry, and a former judge on the ITV1 show The X Factor, which made him famous as a television personality rather than a manager.

As of November 2006 his acts have totalled 29 UK #1 singles^[1], the 29th being 'The Rose' by Westlife.

Contents 1 Band manager 2 Television career 3 X Factor 4 List of groups Walsh has managed 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

While working for a record label, he spotted the talents of singer/songwriter Johnny Logan. Walsh convinced Logan to enter the 1980 25th Eurovision Song Contest, which Logan won in front of 500 million TV viewers. Logan’s first album sold half a million copies within three days of its release, resulting in Logan becoming Number 1 in eleven European countries^[2].

Walsh then decided to create an Irish version of Take That, which the papers picked up on when Walsh advertised the open auditions. The eventual band created was Boyzone, whom Walsh managed to international success achieving 16 top three singles, six of which were Number 1's and four Number 1 albums, selling over 12 million copies worldwide.

When Ronan Keating announced he wanted to take a break from Boyzone, Walsh continued to manage his career. Keating managed a Number 1 hit with Life is a Rollercoaster in 2000, while his album sold 4.4 million copies. Keating and Walsh later agreed to part company, and then had a bitter falling out. Walsh told the press: "He (Keating) wasn't the most talented one - he's not a great singer and he's got no personality." Keating later told Closer magazine: "That man absolutely tried to ruin me and if he thinks we can ever hug and make up - he can forget it. I haven't heard from him in three years and I wouldn't have a problem if I never saw him again. He's not a nice character."^[3]

Walsh then went back to the boy band formula, to create Westlife. Walsh had his choice of record companies, but eventually signed them to RCA after being impressed by executive Simon Cowell. Their first seven single, from their debut "Swear it Again" reached Number 1 in the UK charts, which still stands as the record for most consecutive number 1 singles. Walsh continues to manage the band, with Westlife have accumulated 14 UK Number 1’s, six number 1 selling albums.

Walsh has also managed groups who enjoyed mild success such as Six and Bellefire, as well as masterminding Lulu’s duet album, her most successful which reached Number 4 in the UK charts. Walsh's career as a pop group manager has not been all success - with failed acts such as The Carter Twins. His notoriety has even got him his own song - Louis Walsh by Irish band The Revs.

Walsh made his first television appearance in 2001 in the Irish version of "Popstars." The following year Walsh appeared as a judge on the UK ITV1 show "Popstars: The Rivals," with Pete Waterman and Geri Halliwell. Walsh went head to head with Waterman on the show, with his all girl band Girls Aloud battling it out with Waterman's boy band One True Voice. Girls Aloud won hands down and their debut single "Sound of the Underground" achieved the coveted UK Christmas Number 1 - Waterman's group got the #2 slot, and the Cheeky Girls (who auditioned on the show but were rejected) got the #3 position. Walsh managed the band to achieve a million single sales while their debut album went platinum.

Walsh also regularly appears on various talent shows on RTE in Ireland, the latest being You're A Star.

Walsh appeared from 2004 as a judge, along with Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne on the ITV1 talent show^[4], The X Factor. In 2004 Walsh found chart success with G4, who have gone on to have two chart topping platinum selling albums, and completed two tours of the UK. In 2005 Walsh managed the winner Shayne Ward, whose debut single "That’s My Goal" spent four weeks at UK number one, and whose debut album has sold over 3 million copies.

In November 2005 it was reported that Walsh quit the show mid-series out of protest regarding his treatment on the show; the most explicit example being fellow judge Osbourne drenching him with drinking water during a live recording^[5]. Many viewers regarded this merely as a publicity stunt and Walsh returned on the Saturday evening's live show, stating that he could not abandon his remaining competitor, and eventual winner Shayne Ward. Ward went on to win the competition with over 10 million votes in the final, and whose debut single "That’s My Goal" spent four weeks at UK number one, and debut album has sold over 3 million copies. Walsh then went on to win Celebrity X Factor with actress Lucy Benjamin.

In 2006 in series 3 of the X Factor, Walsh was involved in an incident when he offended an angry female contestant, who then proceeded to attempt to throw Simon Cowell's glass of water over Walsh. However, Walsh knew what she was about to do and he chucked his glass of water over her before she wet him. She then chucked Simon's glass over him, then smashed it on the desk. The contestant later went on to claim in an interview with an X Factor website, that she would audition again next year with a water pistol. After his group Eton Road were eliminated, Walsh pledged to support them after the series finished.

ITV announced in March 2007 that Walsh would not return as a judge on The X Factor, but would remain behind the scenes managing some acts from the show^[6]. According to UK tabloid newspaper The Sun the decision to replace Walsh with two other judges came as a shock to him. X Factor host Kate Thornton will also be replaced.^[7]

Walsh manages and has managed many singers and groups, including:

• Kerri Ann- Now defunct
• Bellefire- Now defunct
• Boyzone- presently reforming
• The Carter Twins- Now defunct
• G4
• Girls Aloud- Now managed by Hillary Shaw
• Ronan Keating- No longer managed by Walsh
• Samantha Mumba- No longer managed by Walsh
• Shayne Ward
• Westlife
• Six (band) - Now defunct
• Eton Road

• The X Factor
• Popstars: The Rivals

• The X Factor - Louis Walsh at itv.com
• Unreality TV - News and Gossip on Louis Walsh
• Louis Fan Forum as featured on THE X FACTOR