Louis Walsh

Louis Walsh

Louis Walsh has been given one of the top 'X Factor' categories.

After years of being stuck with the groups and the over-25s, the Irish music manager has finally been chosen to mentor the boys' category for his last ever year on the ITV singing competition.

Louis hasn't been this lucky since 2005, when he was put in charge of the 16-25 year olds and stormed to victory with Shayne Ward.

Gary Barlow - who is also quitting after series 10 to focus on his music career with Take That - has been given the groups category, which is being billed as one of the best to date.

Nicole Scherzinger will look after girls, while returning judge Sharon Osbourne has the 'overs'.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "The groups are really strong and Gary knows all about how to get the best out of them - because of his experience with Take That.

"The boys are also always a strong category, with Nicole winning with James Arthur last year, so Louis is thrilled.

"Whether the fact they have plum categories will make them reconsider leaving is anyone's guess but bosses wanted to show them some love.

"And for Louis, this has been a long time coming, giving him his best chance of winning since the second series."

According to the Daily Star newspaper, 60-year-old showbiz matriarch Sharon is fuming she has been given the category, which is widely considered the least successful, after several years away from the show.

An insider told the paper: "Sharon never won 'X Factor' in the four years she was on the show and it doesn't look good for her."