Louis Walsh is returning to 'The X Factor', as a cleaner.

Louis Walsh

Louis Walsh

The 62-year-old former judge - who was axed from the ITV show earlier this year - has reportedly agreed to return for a lighthearted sketch which will air in the opening episode of the new series.

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Louis is game for a laugh and has agreed to play a cleaner in the opening film."

The music manager will be seen sweeping the floor of fictional 'X Factor' laboratory where Simon Cowell cooks up ideas to create money-making pop sensations.

Louis was a judge on the singing competition for 11 years before he was sacked earlier this year, leading to speculation he'd fallen out with his close friend, fellow judge and show boss Simon Cowell.

Speaking before the announcement was made, Louis said: "I think I'm done with 'X Factor' honestly. My day job is as a manager, I've kind of neglected that. I want to get back to being a manager.

"I've done 11 seasons. That's a long time on television. I think they're going to change it, go for a few new faces"

Louis and Mel B have now been replace by Rita Ora and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, who have joined Simon and returning judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the panel.