Jedward Takes On Louis Walsh
Six years after the last Celebrity Big Brother was aired, the new season of the show is finally here. However, when there would usually be lighthearted entertainment and a bit of mild drama, viewers got more than they bargained for when they realised just who would be entering the Big Brother house. The housemates line up included Sharon Osbourne, former X Factor judge and TV personality, and Louis Walsh, also a former X Factor judge and manager for several mainstream artists, such as Westlife, Boyzone, and Jedward.
With the inclusion of both Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh, viewers knew they were set for dramatic entertainment, as both celebrities had been on the X Factor together, a show which has recently been under scrutiny for mistreatment since it was cancelled in 2021. Almost from the offset, viewers were glued to their screens as Walsh and Sharon discussed their time on the X Factor, discussing their displeasure in how their working relationship with Simon Cowell ended. However, things took a turn when Walsh began to discuss acts and artists which he had managed and/or interacted with over the years, such as Ronan Keeting, James Corden, Take That, and Jedward. However, it was when he particularly spoke about Jedward that things took a turn for the worse.
When fellow housemade Colson Smith asked what it was like working with Jedward, Walsh stated that they were ‘vile, they were novelty, they were great for the show’ but that he had managed to make ‘five million quid’ working with them. Viewers were immediately incensed over the comments, demanding that Walsh be voted out, that Jedward be allowed to enter the house to confront him, and claiming that Walsh had shown his true character.
Things took an interesting turn when Jedward took to X (formally known as Twitter) to respond to Walsh’s comments, stating “Girls Aloud hate Louis! Jedward hate Louis! Ronan Keeting hates Louis! All future acts should be made aware of what this VILE man is like.” A series of revealing posts were then made, detailing some of the more sinister interactions Jedward claim to have had with Walsh, before they finally justified their words with a telling but steadfast post – “Louis reopened these wounds all by himself being spiteful and disrespectful we aren’t going to have our character taken. Justice will be served.”
As viewers continued to tweet about the defamatory remarks, Katie Waissel, a former X Factor contestant (2010) and someone who has interacted with Walsh many a time face to face, took to X to defend Jedward and offer her support.
Katie is the founder of O.W.H.L Foundation and is well known for her relentless campaign against corruption and abuse within the entertainment industry. She has recently been on prime time TV, including Sky News, discussing strategies to make the entertainment industry a safer place for current artists as well as the next generation of artists to come. Her point of view is widely respected and to have her wade in on this subject in defence of Jedward only adds credibility and substance to their already morally substantial posts. As more and more news outlets began to write on favourably about Katie’s posts on the subject, she penned an elegant thank you for the positive support on the subject.
Celebrity Big Brother viewers, as well as those who wouldn’t usually tune in but are fans of Jedward or Katie, will most likely be watching to see what, if anything, will happen next.
