One of this year’s X Factor contestants has a lot of history with Louis Tomlinson.
Louis is one of this year’s new X Factor judges alongside husband and wife team Robbie Williams and Ayda Williams.
The trio sit alongside Simon Cowell on the panel, who are currently filming the show in London.
At the auditions, it’s claimed that Louis instantly recognised one singer.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, Tom Richards performed for the panel having previously appeared on the show in 2010.
“Y’alright lad? I know ya! You auditioned the same year as me!” reacted Louis.
Back in 2010, Louis first auditioned for the show as a solo artist before being put into One Direction.
Tom made it as far as judges’ houses, but didn’t make the cut through to the live shows.
A source said: “Louis and Tom were equals in 2010 and now they’re worlds apart. Tom is hoping it will be second time lucky.”
You can relive Tom’s audition in the clip above.
Elsewhere at the auditions, troubled Anthony Russell has returned to the show after quitting last year’s series ahead of the Six Chair Challenge, citing “personal reasons”.
At Anthony’s new audition, One Direction star Louis declined to participate in the judges’ vote, believing it would be unfair – as he had previously become friends with Anthony.
A ‘friend’ of Louis revealed that he had reached out to the Liverpool lad following his sudden exit.
“Louis felt an affinity to Anthony,” the pal explained to the Daily Mail. “He believed he had a real future.
“He got in touch with Anthony as soon as he left the show last year and has been a constant friend to him.
“From when he first spoke to Anthony, he was determined to get Anthony fit and well enough to enter the show in 2018. Louis had no idea at that stage that he would become a judge in the future.
“He is delighted to be a judge now – but was determined to be 100 per cent transparent with his fellow judges, the audience and the general public at large, about the support he has given to Anthony.”
The X Factor 2018 will start on TV later in the year on ITV.
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