After 11 long years as a judge on The X Factor, Louis Walsh is stepping down, as recent reports revealed that boss Simon Cowell has personally told him he is no longer needed in the show.

As reported by The Sun, a source from the ITV1 program said that it was Simon's decision to axe Louis and made sure that he's the one to personally tell the 62-year old Irish entertainment manager about it.

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The source told The Sun's Dann Wootton, that Louis and Simon are close friends, which is why he wanted to break the news to him properly. The source added that Simon would't want to fire Walsh like how he fired Cheryl Fernandez-Versini back in 2011-by asking the show's executive producer to break it to her. 

Another insider from the hit show added that Louis is being booted off because viewers are already "sick of Louis" constantly using overused jokes and clichés. 

Fortunately for Louis, whose other claim to fame includes managing the boy bands Boyzone and Westlife, he has been assigned by Simon as judge on Ireland's Got Talent and may even come back to The X Factor as a music expert.

The publication also reported that the 55-year old music mogul is especially eager to get Louis on the judging panel for the Irish version of his other high-rating show, Britain's Got Talent. In 2007, Louis was previously asked to resign as a judge on the show, however, Simon immediately retracted his decision and hired him as one of The X Factor's judging panel.

Though there are fans who are sad to see Louis go, a source close to Louis said that he's ultimately happy and cool with the decision and even confirmed on The Seven O'Clock show last month that he was leaving the show, though he didn't exactly say when.

"I have done 11 seasons and that's a long time in television. I don't think I'll be going back," he said.

He hinted that Simon is looking for fresh faces, but said he's unsure as to whether who will be coming back as judges. Louis then continued to explain that he's focusing on managing his artists, one of which is former Westlife member, Shane Filan, who will be releasing his new album soon.

TagsSimon Cowell, Louis Walsh, The X Factor, panel judges, Simon Cowell decisions, Boyzone manager, Shane Filan manager, Westlife manager