Nick Grimshaw
Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw could be adding The X Factor to his portfolio REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

It has not been long since reports claimed long-serving judge Louis Walsh will not be returning to The X Factor but the boy band manager may already have a replacement.

Show bosses, including mastermind Simon Cowell, are reportedly keen to shake-up the judging panel with BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ Nick Grimshaw due to his strong connections in the music industry.

A BBC source reportedly told The Mirror: "Grimmy is one of the most well connected men in showbiz and will make a brilliant judge. It's clear Cowell's hope is that he will attract new viewers and artists to the show.

"He feels fresher and more relevant than some of the previous judges. Louis has been a great servant to the show but he is out of touch now compared to up and coming stars like Grimmy. The hope is Grimmy can come in and Louis will leave."

According to the publication, the 30-year-old could sign a deal within weeks and his lucrative contract is alleged to include a salary close to £1m.

The X Factor
Dermot O'Leary, Louis Walsh and Mel B will not be returning to the X Factor judging panel leaving Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini remaining ITV

However, negotiations could come to a halt if the BBC refuse to share one of their main talents.

The corporation are said to be reluctant to be linked to ITV but realise that Grimshaw's appearance on the hugely popular singing series could ultimately benefit his prime time radio show.

The insider explained: "There are complications because Grimmy has a Radio 1 contract with the BBC and will be working for ITV too.

"But everyone seems confident something can be worked out. The BBC will have mixed emotions. On one hand, he will be on ITV, on the other, it will raise the profile even more of his breakfast show on Radio 1."

The reports come just days after it emerged former Westlife manager Walsh, 62, has been given the axe after 11 years, with Cowell, 55, reportedly breaking the news.

A source told The Sun On Sunday: "They are close friends so Simon wanted to do this the right way. So Simon spoke to Louis and told him that it's 95 per cent certain that he'll be 'stood down' this year."

The TV boss has since responded to the news with an ambiguous tweet, which read:

Former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Cowell appear to be the only judges remaining on the panel so far. The show's host Dermot O'Leary quit earlier this year after eight years and has been replaced by former Xtra Factor presenters Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.

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