Louis Walsh

Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish entertainment manager and former judge on British television talent show The X Factor.

Originally from Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Walsh moved to Dublin to get a start in the music industry. He managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone and Westlife, three of Ireland's most successful pop artists in recent decades. In later life, Walsh began an alternative career as a television talent pundit and personality. He was a judge on The X Factor from the show's inception in 2004, until 2014, mentoring the "Groups" category five times and the "Overs" category three times. He was the winning judge of the show's second series, mentoring Shayne Ward. He has also appeared on You're a Star, Popstars and Popstars: The Rivals. Walsh has also guest judged on Britain's Got Talent a number of times and on The X Factor USA in 2012. He was confirmed by Simon Cowell in 2015 to front Ireland's Got Talent.

Band manager

In the 1990s, Walsh decided to create an Irish version of Take That, which the papers picked up on when Walsh advertised the open auditions. The band created was Boyzone, whom Walsh managed to international success achieving 16 top three singles, six of which were number ones, as well as four number one albums, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide. When Ronan Keating announced he wanted to take a break from Boyzone, Walsh continued to manage his career. Keating achieved a number one hit with "Life Is a Rollercoaster" in 2000 while his album sold 4.4 million copies. Keating and Walsh later agreed to part company as Keating's solo career reached an all-time high. Walsh then went back to the boy band formula to create Westlife, which Keating co-managed with Walsh for the first couple of Westlife's number one singles and albums.

Louis Walsh (politician)

Louis Walsh was an Irish politician. He was a member of Seanad Éireann from 1954 to 1957, and from 1958 to 1961. He was elected to the 8th Seanad in 1954 by the Administrative Panel. He lost his seat at the 1957 Seanad election. He was nominated by the Taoiseach to the 9th Seanad on 20 January 1958, replacing Seán Moylan. He was deemed to have vacated his seat on being appointed County Registrar on 15 November 1961.

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