Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has said she doesn’t think it’s a good idea to have Louis Walsh as a “fifth judge” on The X Factor.

The Irish music manager, who was on the panel for 10 years before leaving after the 2014 series, has been tipped to return for a guest stint during the live shows of the ITV singing programme.

Cheryl, who has reprised her role on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw, and who is now an executive producer on the show, told the Daily Mirror that she didn’t think bringing back Louis would work.

X Factor judges
The 2015 X Factor judges (Syco/Thames TV)

“I read about the rumours that Louis is coming back. I thought it was just a rumour, then someone told me he was on TV talking about it as a possibility. I have not been told it’s a possibility,” she said.

The 32-year-old singer, who had a spat with Louis, added: “I don’t know how Louis could comment on acts he doesn’t know.

“He doesn’t know anybody, so I don’t know how that would work out. I’m going to make some phone calls.”

Last year's X Factor judges
Louis Walsh on the 2014 X Factor panel (Syco/Thames TV)

Simon fuelled the rumours about Louis’s comeback when he said: “I wouldn’t rule out anything. If I thought the viewers would like to see him on some of the live shows, why not?”

Cheryl and Louis have swapped barbed comments in the past, with the Irish manager calling her “lazy” and “irrelevant” and comparing her to past X Factor judges Mel B and Nicole Scherzinger.

The Girls Aloud star later posted: “Dear Lou Lou. Try using your mouth to say something positive about something positive.”

The Sun has also reported that there may even be a “sixth judge” on each show, with a crop of music legends being brought in to attract older viewers away from BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing.

Cher
Is Cher heading to The X Factor? (Clint Spaulding/AP)

Cher, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton and Bryan Adams could be brought in to give their verdicts on the live show performances. Former The Voice coach Tom Jones and Sir Paul McCartney are also in talks, according to the newspaper.

An X Factor spokesman said nothing has been confirmed: “Plans for the live shows are still being finalised.”