Louis Walsh thinks Cheryl Fernandez-Versini "needs a rest" because she has "lost a bit of energy".

Louis Walsh

Louis Walsh

The former 'X Factor' judge and the 32-year-old singer have feuded since he managed her band Girls Aloud from 2002-2005, and the Irish music mogul has advised the 'Fight For This Love' hitmaker to get away from the spotlight and work on another successful song.

Louis - who previously branded Cheryl "lazy" and "irrelevant" - said: "She's lost a bit of energy. She should go away, make a record and maybe have another hit."

As well as Cheryl, Louis has also had his run ins with 'X Factor' boss Simon Cowell on screen, but insists they are good pals away from the cameras and believes he is the "only person" who can mock the music mogul and get away with it.

He added to Closer magazine: "Me and Simon fight on camera but, off screen, we're best friends - I'm one of the few people in the world who understands him.

"I'm probably the only person who can take the p**s out of him.

"We go out all the time and I visit him at home when he's there with his son Eric.

"Simon is eccentric, egotistical, successful, vain, rich and arrogant, but he's a very unique person. He's funny, and a brilliant friend."