Louis Walsh spills the beans on Simon Cowell, Cheryl and his opinion of Taylor Swift

He joined Hits Radio Breakfast for a chat

Author: Alex RossPublished 26th Mar 2024

Just days after finishing in fourth place on ITV/STV's rebooted series of Celebrity Big Brother, Louis Walsh joined Hits Radio Breakfast with Angellica, James, and Matt to discuss his controversial time in the house, and of course, in true Louis style, spill the tea on some of his A-list friends.

After gushing "I survived", 71-year-old Louis was keen to tell us all about his three weeks on CBB, where he was more than honest about some of the people he'd worked with in the industry, including the likes of Jedward, Simon Cowell and Cheryl.

Louis on his time in the CBB house...

Despite being a little controversial with both his fellow housemates and viewers, Louis admitted to us: "I was gobby. I told them what they wanted to hear. I wasn't acting, I wasn't playing, I wasn't cooking, I wasn't doing any of that stuff, so I was just sitting watching everybody.

"They all wanted to win. They were all performing, except me."

When Angellica asked if he thinks that held people back, Louis added: "You should just go with the flow, the public are watching and they are not stupid. They see right through everybody."

When James asked Louis if he wanted to win the show, he was clear with his answer, saying: "No! No, absolutely not. I swear to God, I begged them (the producers) I didn't want to win. There's nothing to win. If there was a £100,000 then yeah, but there was nothing to win.

"I enjoyed the gig, but I did not want it. As far as I am concerned I won, I was in the final five, I think I was number four, that's ok."

Louis on giving his number to his co-stars...

As Celebrity Big Brother viewers will know, Louis had a discussion with his fellow housemates about staying in touch with them and giving out his phone number after the show, something eventual winner David Potts seemed thrilled about.

However, during his chat on Hits Radio Breakfast, Louis confessed the only person who actually got his number was The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon.

He told us: "He hasn't got my number, I didn't give him my number. He sings too much. He's a nice guy.

"I gave my number to Lauren, and I loved Marisha, I loved her singing. She's an amazing artist. She's a really good singer and a great girl."

Louis on if he regrets anything he said on CBB...

Louis certainly didn't hold back with his words and opinions during his time in the house, so Angellica, James and Matt were keen to find out if there was anything he regretted looking back.

Louis said: "I said a lot. I didn't mean to offend anybody. I did give my opinion on people, but that's just the way I am."

Louis on Girls Aloud...

Following the news that Girls Aloud have reunited for a 2024 UK tour, Louis was quick to praise the girls during his time in the house, with his now famous "great songs" quote about the group.

Fans will know that Louis used to manage the girls during their early days after being on the panel of Pop Stars: The Rivals, and he spilled a little confession to Hits Radio Breakfast about 'being too busy'.

He told us: "They have great songs and they are a great girl group. I'm glad they are back, I might go to the tour in Dublin. They always made great records and they always look great."

Speaking about the band's earlier days, Louis added: "I was on the panel, I knew they were good, I knew they were special. I was really busy with Westlife, I didn't give them enough attention if you want to know the truth.

"They had great songs and I think it's great that they are now going out as a foursome now, they are going to do incredible."

Louis on Cheryl...

As well as admitting he's pleased to see Girls Aloud back together, Louis also confessed he thinks Cheryl Tweedy should embark on another solo career.

He told us: "I also think Cheryl should do another solo record. She got a hard time, she wasn't bad. She had some good songs. She should do it again."

Louis on being a better person...

After receiving some criticism during his time on Celebrity Big Brother, Louis also confessed to us that he's going to try to be a 'better person'. He said: "I'm not going to be as gobby.

"You have to give an opinion, you can't love everybody."

Louis on his friendship with Sharon Osbourne...

Louis was reunited with old friend Sharon Osbourne for eight days on the rebooted series, with Sharon entering the show as a 'house intruder'.

Revealing she's now gone back to America, Louis told us: "She's gone back, I called her this week. I can talk to her now, I wasn't able to talk to her in the house, I was on mic 24/7. "

He also admitted he'd love to appear on Gogglebox alongside Sharon.

Louis on what's next for him...

Following his return to the spotlight on CBB, Louis revealed he's going to take it easy now, saying: "I'm going to take it easy. I'm going to live in Dublin, I'm going to travel a bit. I'm just going to enjoy life."

Louis on other reality TV shows such as Strictly and I'm A Celeb...

Producer Matt was keen to know if Louis now has the bug for other reality TV shows, but it sounds like we won't be seeing Louis sign up for shows such as Strictly Come Dancing or I'm A Celebrity in the future.

He said: "No, no, no, it's too hard. It's too hard and you have to be too good. They have amazing dancers on that. I won't do the jungle and I wouldn't do Strictly, I'm not going to make an idiot of myself no way."

Following Louis' joy of name-dropping during his time on CBB, we couldn't let him leave the Hits Radio Breakfast studio without playing a little game, titled 'The Celebrity Name Game', which involved Angellica naming a celebrity and Louis sharing his true thoughts...

Louis on Gary Barlow...

"Love Gary Barlow, love his songs, always loved Take That."

Louis on Simon Cowell...

"I love Simon, he's great fun. He's absolutely great fun, people don't know the fun side of him. He really is funny, and not just his clothes, he's really funny. He is great, great fun."

Louis on Taylor Swift...

"I like her but I'm not crazy about her like everybody else is. I don't understand it honestly. I'd prefer to go see Dua Lipa."

Check out which celebs took part in CBB 2024 below:

Louis Walsh

Age: 71
Best known for: TV judge and Talent manager

David Potts

Age: 30
Best known for: Reality TV star

Fern Britton

Age: 66
Best known for: TV presenter

Nikita Kuzmin

Age: 26
Best known for: Strictly Come Dancing professional

Colson Smith

Age: 25
Best known for: Coronation Street actor

Bradley Riches

Age: 21
Best known for: Heartstopper actor

Marisha Wallace

Age: 38
Best known for: American actress and musical theatre star

Zeze Millz

Age: 34
Best known for: TV presenter

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu - EVICTED

Age: 29
Best known for: Love Island star

Levi Roots - EVICTED

Age: 65
Best known for: Celebrity chef, TV personality and entrepreneur

Sharon Osbourne - TIME OVER AS HOUSE GUEST

Age: 71
Best known for: TV personality and music manager


Sharon is a 'house intruder' and will only feature for five days.

Lauren Simon - EVICTED

Age: 46
Best known for: The Real Housewives of Cheshire

Gary Goldsmith - EVICTED

Age: 47
Best known for: Uncle of Kate Middleton

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