Doncaster pop sensation Louis Tomlinson tipped as new X-Factor judge

According to national newspaper reports, the One Direction star and former judge Louis Walsh are both in the running to fill the vacant seat alongside Simon Cowell, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

The Daily Mail quoted an X Factor spokesman as saying: 'Nick was a great mentor on last year’s series. He did a fantastic job with the boys’ category and we’d like to thank him for all his hard work. We are sad to see him go but wish him all the best."

'Details for the new series of The X Factor are still being discussed and will be announced in due course.'

A show's source confirmed the news to The Sun, adding that One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson is already in the running to take his place.

They said: 'Louis Tomlinson is very likely to replace Grimmy. He agreed in principle to the job while assisting Simon Cowell during the judges’ houses round last year.

The news comes after the X Factor failed to garner dramatic figures and its final episode only managed to pull a disappointing 5.95million average and 6.69million peak viewers.