Louis Walsh departs X Factor – Robbie Williams backed to replace him

Robbie Williams has been well backed to be one of the new judges on X Factor in 2018.

The show is getting a major revamp from chief and head judge Simon Cowell, with Louis Walsh’s departure already confirmed.

Sharon Osbourne is set to be involved but in a reduced role, which could mean up to three new judges are brought in.

Both Rita Ora and Cheryl Cole are odds-on to return, but Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson are being well backed.

“There is a shake-up coming in X Factor, we only know Simon is going to be a regular judge throughout the new series,” said OddsMonkey spokesman Peter Watton.

“Odds all summer have suggested that we would be seeing Rita Ora and Cheryl Cole back on the panel, and both are odds on – but we are also expecting another male judge to come in, and the odds on Robbie have been slashed.

“Robbie has a history with the show having been a guest judge more than once, and it seems he could be on his to the show, and he would be a hugely popular choice with the public.”

Selected odds on X Factor judges:

To be a judge on next year’s X Factor: 1/100 Sharon Osbourne; 1/100 Simon Cowell; 1/4 Cheryl Cole; 2/5 Rita Ora; 6/4 Robbie Williams; 5/2 Louis Tomlinson; 4/1 Alesha Dixon; 4/1 Mel B; 6/1 Paloma Faith; 8/1 Dannii Minogue; 10/1 Perrie Edwards; 10/1 Rihanna; 12/1 Leona Lewis; 12/1 Olly Murs; 12/1 Pixie Lott; 16/1 Emeli Sande; 20/1 Craig David; 20/1 Liam Payne; 20/1 Zayn Malik; 25/1 Adele