Former X Factor judge Louis Walsh was rushed to medics when he suffered a suspected heart attack while filming Celebrity Big Brother. The 74-year-old said being on the reality show was so stressful when he joined alongside his friend and co-star Sharon Osbourne that he now regrets ever signing up for it.
Louis Walsh on his health scare
Louis explained: “I thought it was going to be fun. It wasn’t fun. I had anxiety problems and I had to get the medics. My doctor thinks I had a minor heart attack. They let me out a few times to have a cup of tea.”
He added: “I did it for the money but I shouldn’t have. Sharon was not in a good place either. We were television hookers.”
No return to X Factor
Louis has now explained on the 2 Johnnies podcast that he won’t make the same mistake again – and won’t return to Simon Cowell’s X Factor if it is rebooted. He said: “I won’t be doing it as I am probably too old. The money is good, they pay well, but I don’t think [Simon] will ask me.”
Louis suggested: “I don’t know who they would get. Sharon and Nicole Scherzinger would be good. I was so nervous being on that show as Simon is a big personality and so is Sharon.”
Health battle and remission
The ITV star has been candid about his health in recent years after being diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer, Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM). He is now in remission, but explained in 2024: “I didn't realise [I had it] until I went to the Mater to check me out. I was told it's fine, it's manageable. I'm in remission, and I'm feeling good.”
He said: “I was tired. It was just after doing X Factor and stuff. When I got checked, they didn't find it initially. It's a rare one. But I'm in remission, I'm fine. They can manage it.”
