Louis Walsh jokes that he'll be swapping X Factor judging duties for the dance floor to join Strictly Come Dancing

Louis Walsh jokes that he'll be swapping X Factor judging duties for the dance floor to join Strictly Come Dancing

There'd be murder on the dance floor if X Factor judge Louis Walsh moonwalked off the set of X Factor and into the arms of rival show Strictly Come Dancing.

Although the 61-year-old has confirmed that this year's X Factor â€" his 10th as a Judge â€" will be his last, recent newspaper reports claiming he'd be joining the rival Saturday night show have been dismissed as a joke.

According to reports, Walsh said during filming of the boot camp stage of this years competition: "I am going to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. But I am saying no more than that."

Of course, Louis was only joking.

He couldn't do that, a move to the rival Saturday night show would break X Factor boss, and friend Simon Cowell's big perma-tanned heart.  Possibly.

But how would Walsh do on the other side of the judging desk? Although he lacks the athleticism of last year's winner Louis Smith, or the glamour of Kimberly Walsh (no relation), Louis has barrels of energy.

Would he be able to resist judging the other contestants? It looks like we'll never know.