X Factor: Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne ‘WILL be back as ITV refuse to let them go’

Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne are set to take up their seats on The X Factor 2018 after all.

Rumour has had it that Simon Cowell is planning another major revamp of the panel.

It could’ve see Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne ALL leaving.

The dramatic move was touted despite Louis and Sharon already signing contracts for 2018.

“Louis and Sharon are both contracted to return this year, but Simon and the producers have lost faith,” an insider alleged to The Sun previously.

Now it seems those contracts may well have saved the pair.

The Daily Mail reports that ITV have refused to buy out the duo, who apparently weren’t going to give up their jobs without a fight.

Sources told the tabloid that money to pay off Louis and Sharon would run into “several million”, before paying new judges to take their places.

“It is just not a feasible option, they will be back alongside Simon,” an insider said.

Louis told the Daily Mirror newspaper previously: “I have a signed, water-tight contract, as has Sharon Osbourne. Of course you’ll see us back on the show.

“Sharon and I have a three year contract, and we’ve only done two, so this will be our third year. Simon doesn’t break contracts.”

Unfortunately for Nicole, it seems her time on the show is up without a secure contract.

Louis added: “If Nicole’s not back, I’m going to miss her. She’s the best – I love and adore her.”

Former panellists Cheryl and Dannii Minogue, plus current Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, have been rumoured as potential replacements.

Craig David, Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey are also touted as potential new faces to the ITV show.

The X Factor 2018 will air on ITV in the autumn.