Louis Walsh insists his X Factor contract is 'watertight' after reports of another Simon Cowell shake-up

Simon Cowell is reportedly undertaking a reshuffling of his X Factor judging panel in yet another attempt to revamp the ailing television talent contest. 

On Sunday, reports emerged that Nicole Scherzinger would not be judging this year's X Factor. The Pussycat Dolls singer and Cats star has faced Cowell's chop before, when he axed her from the US X Factor in 2012. Now, according to The Sun, she "won't be back this year" due to the fact she didn't have a contract and Cowell's keenness to "bring in fresh blood".

But while the paper also reported that "producers have lost faith" in fellow judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osborne, who would be axed in spite of being contracted to return, Walsh has refuted this. 

The Irish boy band manager, who has reportedly contacted Cowell to discuss his future on the show, said that his contract was "watertight". Walsh added that he had discussed the matter with Osborne, who said that "they can only sack us if they pay us", but added that she is yet to receive filming dates for the forthcoming series.

Osborne and Walsh reportedly earn ￡1.7 million a series, and are said to have sought legal advice. A spokesperson for ITV said: "There is always speculation regarding the judging panel. It's too early to confirm the judges for the next series."

If Cowell really is bringing in new judges in an attempt to lure in a younger audience, it won't be the first time. In 2015, he refreshed the show by removing Walsh and bringing in Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and singer Rita Ora, who only lasted a series on the judging panel. Presenter Dermot O'Leary was replaced by Caroline Flack and former contestant Olly Murs, who managed to reveal who was leaving that week ahead of time. Neither returned to the show. 

Already, speculation is mounting about who will step into Scherzinger's shoes, with pop star Craig David and One Direction member Louis Tomlinson being rumoured to join the panel.