It has been officially confirmed that Louis Walsh will be rejoining the X Factor judging panel for the 11th series later this year.

Walsh has officially signed on the dotted line and will be joining Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole who have already been confirmed as taking part in the show.

Walsh said: "I knew I was doing the show but I just signed the deal and I'm very happy with it.

"At my age you have to keep working."

There have been rumours that Cole wasn’t happy with the prospect of working with Walsh once again but show boss Cowell seems to have put his foot down saying: "I'd love Louis to come back and do the show - it wouldn't be the same without him.

"Other people have different views, so we have to agree on it."

There is still no news as to who will be taking the fourth and final spot on the judging panel although there have been rumours that Mel B, who has previously acted as a guest judge on the show, will be reprising her role on a more permanent basis.

Walsh continued: "It has to be someone I like. I'd love it to be Sharon Osbourne but I don't think it's going to be her.

"There are all sorts of rumours going around.

"I think it could be Mel B from the Spice Girls. I love her and she's quite mad.

"She also did both the American and the Australian versions of X Factor."