Walsh renewal 'threw massive spanner in the works'
Louis Walsh should have been axed from 'The X Factor' this summer.
The under-fire Irishman - who is the only original judge left on the panel - had received his contract before show bosses decided to shake up the programme and because he signed the document straight away, they were unable to backtrack on their decision.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Bosses expected most of last year's judges to return and so gave Louis his contract with that in mind.
"When it became apparent that wouldn't happen it was decided it would be better to have an all-new panel."
The show has seen a drop in ratings from previous years and now insiders are tipping Simon Cowell - who stepped down from the panel to focus on launching the show in the US - to make a return for the next series.
An insider said: "Simon not being there has hit ratings. Although they are happy with the panel, they realise there is not anyone like Simon.
"He has a lot on his plate in America but has not ruled out a return. The likelihood is that Louis will be gone next year and Simon could return."
"But Louis had already signed by that point, which threw a massive spanner in the works."
