AFTER a near 30-year friendship, Louis Walsh launched a blistering attack on Simon Cowell this weekend – and the timing was no coincidence.
As returned to Saturday night TV for , Irish branded his former . Insiders can now reveal the reason behind their secret fallout and why relations have turned so bitter.
Louis Walsh launched a blistering attack on Simon Cowell this weekendCredit: Rex
The pair’s secret feud all stems from Simon’s hit Netflix documentary Simon Cowell: The Next Act, as Louis was left fuming he hadn’t been included in the showCredit: © 2025 Netflix, Inc.
Cowell snubbed Louis in favour of bringing back his old Pop Idol co-judge Pete WatermanCredit: Rex Features
It all stems from s hit Netflix documentary , which soared into the top ten when it was released at the end of last year following the making of new boy band, December 10.
Those close to the feuding pair have told how Louis has been left “furious” at Simon for not including him in the show – instead choosing to snub him in favour of bringing back his old Pop Idol co-judge Pete Waterman.
Our source said: “Louis is very bitter because Simon didn’t get him involved with his new group.
“He feels like he should have reached out and been asked to help. In his mind, he has the most experience and expertise out of everyone Simon was working for.
“He took it for granted that he’d be called upon. When he wasn’t, it felt like a real snub. Especially as he had the likes of Pete Waterman contributing to the series.
“Louis is livid about it and won’t hold back on speaking his mind.
“He knows slagging off BGT will annoy Simon because he’s already worried about His criticism will have been a kick in the teeth.”
In a fiery rant ahead of the BGT series opener on , Louis — who was a guest panellist on the show himself in 2010 — said: “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.
“Now it doesn’t feel like that, who even won last year? Cowell was incredible in his prime. I just don’t think he’s got that same instinct now.
“He’s surrounded by people who won’t tell him the truth anymore.”
became a household name as the longest-serving judge on from the show’s inception in 2004 to its final series in 2019.
He would often spend time with , during filming – but launched a surprise attack on the mother of Simon’s son, , 11, last week.
‘He’s done now’
said: “He’s a family man now, ’s in charge of his diary, and his phone, I’ve not heard from him in years.”
Our source added: “It’s true that Lauren does have his phone, but if he wants to speak to someone, he would call. The fact is, he doesn’t want to speak to Louis.”
Louis’ comments came after The Sun on Sunday saw text messages from him saying of Simon — “He’s done now.” He added: “He’s surrounded by fakes.”
The timing of Louis’ fiery rant was no coincidence, as it came ahead of the BGT series opener on ITVCredit: Rex Features
He’s surrounded by fakes, said LouisCredit: Rex Features
We first heard of their relationship breakdown in 2024 when on ITV’s .
Louis admitted he was no longer on speaking terms with the music mogul, telling close friend Sharon: “I haven’t talked to him at all, nothing. Zero.”
While in the famous house, Sharon revealed that she and Simon had a bitter fallout after claiming she missed out on being part of .
Simon later responded to the pair’s comments, saying last year: “I still consider Sharon and Louis really good friends, we could pick up the phone to each other tomorrow.
Cowell was incredible in his prime, I just don’t think he’s got that same instinct now. He’s surrounded by people who won’t tell him the truth anymore
Louis Walsh
“I think that’s probably one of the things they’re upset about, because they can never get hold of me.”
There are rumours that further tension between Simon and Louis arose amid plans for a bombshell documentary on The X Factor being made.
The three-parter will be a no-holds-barred look at the talent contest that gave us and .
But it also led to accusations of manipulation, bullying and abuse.
Louis admitted he was no longer on speaking terms with the mogul while on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024Credit: Rex
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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