The judges have returned from ‘their’ houses – in Louis’ case, a luxury pad in America’s ‘Sin City’, Las Vegas – and the live finals start. Louis is mentoring the Groups section, and last week he and former The X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne whittled the seven acts he took to Vegas down to GMD3, MK1 and Union J. Speaking over the phone from Dublin, Louis, 60, told TV Choice more.

How much of a part do nerves and stage fright play in this section of the contest?
Everybody gets nervous, because in the first live show anything can happen. We hope we've picked the right songs, the right acts, we hope they deliver and don’t get stage fright. We just hope that they’re professional enough. Because we’ve picked these people we believe in them; we hope they won’t let either us, or themselves down.

How much of a difference has it made this year that, for the first time, acts could enter the competition even if they already had management?
I think it probably helped us, because we got a lot of acts who had already gigged together and stuff. They’re kind of halfway there, if you know what I mean. Working together is probably the best thing, because bands only improve by working and rehearsing.

Are you confident that The X Factor can hold its own against Strictly Come Dancing when it returns?
Totally. I’m very confident because of the talent, and because of the producers and the judges. I just think we’ve got a brilliant show.

How are you feeling about Nicky Byrne from Westlife going to the BBC, to take part in Strictly Come Dancing?
That’s fine, he needs to learn to dance! It’s a good show to learn on. I think it’ll be good for him, and I think he’s brave.

Why do you think the BBC’s The Voice failed?
Very simple – it wasn’t as good as The X Factor! They copied older bits of The X Factor. I mean, I was expecting so much more from it. I saw it in America; it’s really good there, with Christina Aguilera and the Maroon 5 boys. But I just got bored with the UK version. And I absolutely love Tom Jones, I thought he would bring more to it.

Has there been much fighting talk between the judges?
I haven’t heard from Gary, I was emailing Nicole in the middle of last night, and I talk to Tulisa all the time. With me, honestly, all I want is for the show to win. I want this to be the biggest and best The X Factor ever. I want someone to win it at the end of the day, but I want the right people to win. I want it to showcase a new talent, and to demonstrate that the show has moved on.

ITV1, Saturday & Sunday

Martina Fowler