Louis was on fine form backstage at show rehearsals yesterday, where he was making sure that his groups District 3 and Union J deliver vote-winning performances for Number Ones week. ' I'm feeling safe enough this week..I've two great, fantastic groups and both deserve record deals. There's a gap right now in the market for two bands.,please vote for these two bands'

The groups are performing tracks by Taio Cruz and Taylor Swift during tonight's live show. He told me 'it's not going to predictable and that's the good thing about this week, it's not predictable..'

Louis Walsh has told me that he'd 'love to another year on the X Factor..I don't wanna be Bruce Forsythe going out on there on a zimmer frame, but I'd love to another year.'

As the X Factor/Strictly ratings battle also hots up this week, Louis confessed to me that he's also missing his good mate and show creator Simon Cowell; ' The ratings battle don't worry me. But if Simon did come back, the show would be No.1..Simon called me last week and you know, we always talk but he just wants us to work harder and just wants us to do better and he's right, we can always do better. When Simon's in the building, it's always great fun. We need in the building, I miss on the show, I wish he'd come back so Simon if you're listening, come back all is forgiven!'

So does Louis hope Simon returns to a possible tenth series next year? ' It would be fantastic but he only be in one place at one time, as he's got the American X Factor and Britain's Got Talent…I think we should clone him. Maybe we should get a younger, prettier version yes- I think we should clone him definitely.'

Last week Gary Barlow made headlines last week when he commented on Tulisa's 'fag ash' breath, which the pair joked about as they publicly patched things up Alan Carr's Chatty Man show last night. And Mr Walsh's take on it? 'So they made it up? I don't think they're that good friends really, I think pretending for the cameras! You know, they're two divas. Gary wants to be Sir Gary Barlow so he can't go round telling people that they have bad breath..!'

And naturally I had to ask Louis about press reports that former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is  in talks to star in her own TV chat show. And in true Louis style, he told me ' Chery's getting a chat show? Well at least it's not a singing show. Did you see that Channel 4 show Stand Up for Cancer..? I loved it, for all the wrong reasons, I  Ioved it. She did very well, she's a really nice girl but she's a great dancer..a really great dancer.' So as their first ever manager, will Louis watch Girls Aloud's tour next year? 'Are Girls Aloud back together? They must need the money..listen they made some amazing pop records, so if they're in Dublin I'll go see the show..maybe.'

And what about the rumours that Simon might appear on the final show, when it comes live from Manchester? 'If Simon did come back he would have the No.1 show. He always wants to be number one absolutely..'

Hear my chat with Louis Walsh here...