3 May 2012 Last updated at 17:41

Louis Walsh returns for new series of X Factor

It's the news X Factor fans have been waiting for....sort of.

Louis Walsh WILL return to the judges panel for the new series of the X Factor.

It'll be the ninth series for the veteran judge - he's been on every series of the show since it started.

Earlier in the week, Kelly Rowland revealed she won't be coming back to be a mentor on the hit show.

Will Tulisa be taking one of the places on the judges' panel?

Gary Barlow will be though, which means we now know who half the judges will be.

The identity of the other judges? Well that's a mystery for now but the TV company who make the show say we'll find out 'soon'.

Simon Cowell, who missed last year's series to focus on the American version of the X Factor, seemed pretty pleased to welcome Louis back.

"The show wouldn't be the same without Louis, I am really happy he is coming back. I hope he has an opportunity this year to show what an astute manager he is," he said.

Louis himself, well he wasn't holding anything back, he said: "I'm back! It's my ninth year on the show and as the only remaining original judge I'm delighted to take my seat once more on the judging panel."