Louis Walsh Brands Simon Cowell a 'Has-Been' in Latest Bitter Feud
One of television's most entertaining double acts has descended into yet another public row, with Louis Walsh delivering a withering putdown by branding Simon Cowell a "has-been." The 73-year-old Irish judge's latest criticism comes amid revelations about their decades-long relationship, which has swung dramatically between friendship and feuds over the years.
Netflix Documentary Snub Sparks Fury
According to sources close to both men, the catalyst for this latest fallout was Simon Cowell's hit documentary Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which was released at the end of last year. The Netflix show follows Cowell as he creates new boy band December 10, hoping to replicate the success of One Direction.
Louis Walsh was reportedly "left furious" after being excluded from the documentary in favor of Cowell's old Pop Idol co-judge Pete Waterman. A source revealed: "In his mind, he has the most experience and expertise out of everyone Simon was working with."
The insider added to The Sun: "He knows slagging off BGT will annoy Simon because he's already worried about the fall in ratings. His criticism will have been a kick in the teeth."
Scathing Criticism of Britain's Got Talent
In a particularly scathing rant this week, Louis Walsh claimed that Britain's Got Talent is "finished" and that Simon Cowell is no longer in his "prime." Speaking ahead of Friday night's series opener on ITV, Walsh told The Sun: "BGT, who cares?! It's not what it was."
"Back in the old days, it was pulling in 12 million, and the whole country cared who won," he continued. "Now it doesn't feel like that, who even won last year?"
Walsh, who appeared as a guest panellist on the show in 2010, went even further in text messages obtained by The Sun, reportedly saying Cowell is "done now" and "surrounded by fakes."
Personal Digs and Professional Criticism
Elsewhere in his interview, Louis Walsh made several personal remarks about Simon Cowell, claiming that Cowell's fiancée Lauren Silverman controls his phone and diary, and adding that he hasn't heard from him in years. He described Cowell as "incredible in his prime" but suggested he no longer has the same instinct and is "surrounded by people who won't tell him the truth."
The Irish music manager, who previously managed successful boy bands including Boyzone and Westlife, also took aim at Cowell's new boyband December 10, formed on the Netflix series. He joked they should have been called "April 1st" instead, before insisting he genuinely hopes things work out "for the boys' sake."
History of Public Feuds and Reconciliation
This is not the first time Louis Walsh has publicly criticized his former co-star. In 2024, Walsh and Sharon Osbourne launched a shock tirade against Cowell while appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, with Osbourne insisting she would never work for him again, "not for all the money in the world."
Walsh revealed he hadn't spoken to Cowell since the X Factor days, adding: "I haven't talked to him at all, nothing. Zero." Moments before entering the CBB house, Walsh threw shade at Cowell's "stupid clothes and new faces," though he maintained: "I love him. I think the world of him, I really do."
Simon Cowell took the remarks on the chin, telling The Mirror: "I still consider Sharon and Louis really good friends, we could pick up the phone to each other tomorrow." He insisted he had no intention of hitting back at the comments, explaining their friendship was often made of long silences.
Rollercoaster Professional Relationship
The professional relationship between Walsh and Cowell has been particularly turbulent. Walsh was sensationally sacked from The X Factor in 2007 after being a judge since it began, only to be brought back weeks later when his replacement Brian Friedman left for a Creative Director role.
Speaking about the shake-up, Walsh told The Mirror: "My proudest moment on the show was getting the job in the first place... closely followed by Simon having to bring me back after sacking me."
In 2015, Walsh left the show again after citing feelings of humiliation, stress, and being "undermined" by Cowell, who allegedly called him an "idiot and bland." He returned the following year and stayed until 2018. In 2019, Walsh claimed that Cowell had paid him "a lot" of money to walk away from The X Factor, denying there had been a heated row behind the scenes.
Musical Differences and Personal Praise
In 2023, Louis Walsh revealed that Simon Cowell wasn't initially a fan of Westlife - the Irish judge's most successful band. During an episode of The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In on RTÉ, Walsh recalled Cowell telling him the band was "f****** dreadful" and that he needed to change four members.
"It just goes to prove Cowell didn't know that much," Walsh said. "I loved working with Simon but he wasn't always right."
Despite the criticism, Walsh has also praised Cowell, saying: "Straight up, Simon, I'm very good friends with him. He changed my life by giving me a job on X Factor. I never wanted to be on TV. He's a really nice man."
He continued: "He's got a huge ego, he's very vain, he wears high heels but I love working with him it's always interesting working with him."
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for both Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell for comment on the latest developments in their ongoing feud.
