Louis Walsh has come under fire from stars of The X Factor after he launched a scathing attack on his former mentees Jedward.
The talent show judge, 71, branded twins John and Edward Grimes ‘vile’ on Celebrity Big Brother this week, prompting the singers to hit back with a fiery exchange.
Now former contestants of the ITV singing competition have leapt to Jedward’s defence, hitting out at Louis on X, formerly Twitter, this week.
Katie Waissel, who has previously claimed that her stint on the show back in 2010 ‘ruined her life’, accused Louis of being part of a ‘manipulative and coercive’ environment behind the scenes.
In an impassioned tweet on Wednesday, the show star stood up for Jedward as she doubled down on her claims that a public inquiry should be launched into the programme.
Louis Walsh has come under fire from stars of The X Factor after he launched a scathing attack on his former mentees Jedward (pictured with John and Edward Grimes in 2012)
Katie shared: ‘@planetjedward firstly, having met you both personally, I can unequivocally state that you are by no means ‘vile’ , if anything you are both absolutely the contrary to this! I stand firmly behind you in your corner, always.
‘What I wish for the general public to take from this, is that Louis Walsh, former XFactor judge, has confirmed and revealed on national television, the tip of the iceberg of abuse, manipulation and coercion that went on behind the scenes on the XFactor, of which myself and many others have spoken publicly about.
‘By stating he (Louis Walsh) made £5million off of Jedward, immediately after calling them ‘vile’ and stating that they made ‘great tv’, in itself, only but further confirms how the show was disturbingly manufactured and manipulated.
‘This is not the first time a former judge has disclosed contradictory and manipulated tactics to secure contestants, all in the while, completely unbeknownst to the contestants themselves.
‘All contestants were lead to believe they entered a singing competition, as did the general public.
‘There are serious and significant issues that need to be addressed, and further remedied, by all parties involved in the making, producing and broadcasting of the now cancelled show, XFactor, as well as a public inquiry to be held, to ensure the future of music and television is protected through their findings, to update policy, regulation, and legislation. #CBBUK #LouisWalsh #Jedward [sic].’
As one one follower suggested they would like to see Katie and Jedward enter the Big Brother house to confront Louis, Katie revealed she had already approached them, tweeting: ‘I verbatim asked production to give me just five minutes.’
Steve Brookstein, who won the inaugural season of X Factor in 2004 with Simon Cowell as his mentor, also didn’t hold back with his criticism of Louis, claiming he had now been vindicated in branding the star a ‘c***’.
He tweeted on Tuesday: ’20 years ago I said Louis Walsh was a c*** and only now people are realising it. Better late than never.’
Steve has not been shy of sharing his thoughts on Louis and fellow X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne during their time on Celebrity Big Brother, previously sharing: ‘If people saw Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh for what they are – they wouldn’t be watching #cbbuk.’
MailOnline has contacted Freemantle, Thames TV, ITV and Louis’ representatives for comment.
Katie Waissel, who has previously claimed that her stint on the show back in 2010 ‘ruined her life’, accused Louis of being part of a ‘manipulative and coercive’ environment
In an impassioned tweet on Wednesday, the show star stood up for Jedward as she doubled down on her claims that a public inquiry should be launched into the programme
As one one follower suggested they would like to see Katie and Jedward enter the Big Brother house to confront Louis, Katie revealed she had already approached them
Steve Brookstein, who won the inaugural season of X Factor in 2004 with Simon Cowell as his mentor, also didn’t hold back with his criticism of Louis
Steve claimed he had now been vindicated in branding the star a ‘c***’
Steve has not been shy of sharing his thoughts on Louis and fellow X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne during their time on Celebrity Big Brother
It has been claimed that the X Factor judge, 71, had made it clear he would not sign up for the show without Sharon – meaning he is now at risk of walking
Louis has caused outrage after labelling the twin brothers, John and Edward Grimes ‘vile’, when he was quizzed on what he thought of them by his co-star Colson Smith.
The remarks were one of the latest in a string of bizarre rants about fellow celebs, which have also been aimed at Adele, James Corden and Ronan Keating.
During the exchange, Louis revealed that he had ‘made £5million’ from the double act during his time as their manager between 2009 and 2013.
Soon after the comments aired on ITV, John and Edward took X to dispute Louis’ claims and branded him a ‘cold-hearted b****d’.
Colson had asked Louis, who managed the pair four four years: ‘What were Jedward like?’
The Irishman replied: ‘They were vile.’
Colson said: ‘They’ve done well’, and Louis said: ‘I got £5million from them. I swear on my mother’s life.’
Clearly impressed, Colson quipped back: ‘B****y hell, I wish I had a Jedward.’
Doubling down on his opinion, Louis added: ‘And they were vile. But they were novelty. It was great for the show. It was all about the show.’
That saw the brothers – now 32 – launch into a series of scathing online accusations in response.
They kicked off by calling him a ‘cold-hearted b****d who didn’t even send us flowers when our mom died’ – the twins lost their mum Susanna to cancer in 2019.
Following the music manager’s remarks, Jedward insisted that ‘justice would be served’, as they continued the tirade on their X account.
One of the tweets shared by the brothers claimed: ‘Louis Walsh is an evil manipulator who forced us into an office to pay £70k from our bank account to one of his own PR workers.’
Another said: ‘Louis Walsh b****d and talked about us to our best friend Tara Reid and then we fired him!’
A final tweet read: ‘Louis reopened these wounds all by himself being spiteful and disrespectful we aren’t going to have our character taken. Justice will be served.’
During the episode, Jedward were having dinner with their close friend and former TOWIE star Gemma Collins.
Gemma quickly jumped to their defence on Instagram as she admitted she ‘couldn’t believe’ what was being said.
She posted: ‘Shocked to see what was said about my boys. They are the sweetest, talented, polite, educated, kind boys I’ve ever met hence why they are always in my company!! TEAM JEDWARD. #Jedward’.
The Irish music mogul Walsh managed the pair between 2009 and 2013, but things turned sour when, in 2016, Walsh described the duo as ‘the most embarrassing thing to happen to him’.
That’s despite boasting of making millions after Jedward’s first two albums went platinum in Ireland, while they also represented their country at Eurovision in 2011 and 2012.
Ironically Louis defended the brothers during The X Factor in 2009 when Simon Cowell called them ‘vile’ – the same term he used in the CBB house.
He argued that they were ‘innocent children’ at the time, when Simon hissed that they were ‘vile little creatures’.
Elsewhere in the Jedward biography, Louis continues to fawn over his charges. He said: ‘You either have that special something or you don’t and I thought that they had it in spades… they are nice to everybody, from the people on the street to the people in the record company – and that’s why they have so many fans.
‘Everyone wants to work with them because they are just so hard-working and genuinely nice. John and Edward make the people that they meet smile and they make them feel special – that is their secret and that is what sets them apart from a lot of people.
‘Their attitude is 100 per cent positive all of the time and that is why they are where they are now.’
Louis is reportedly poised to leave Celebrity Big Brother after his close friend Sharon’s exit from the house
Louis has caused outrage after labelling the twin brothers, John and Edward Grimes ‘vile’, when he was quizzed on what he thought of them by his co-star Colson Smith
Despite that, the twins say in the book that one of their manager’s primary pieces of advice to them was ‘always break the rules’.
John added: ‘Louis always tells us to never follow the rules and always break out and be different: but we don’t attention seek, things just work out well for us.’
But Louis maintained that the quiff-topped singers were the perfect pop stars to work with.
He said: ‘They never complain and they just want to work, work, work – how would I ever regret taking them on?
‘The boys are a manager’s dream and they are having the time of their lives… I wish every act was like that and then there would be no trouble: Jedward are the best-behaved group I have ever came across in 30 years in the business.’
Louis is even quoted backstage before a Dublin show boasting: ‘I have never seen either of them in a bad mood.’
The official book also reveals that in their first flush of fame Louis put the brakes on a proposed appearance for the twins on Celebrity Big Brother in 2010, stating: ‘They just weren’t prepared to give us enough money.’
He bragged by April 2010 that he was turning down countless jobs for Jedward as the money rolled in with the pair booked solid for months.
Louis said: ‘Everyone wanted them, from Celebrity Big Brother to huge magazines, and we have just had to turn down so many people.
‘They can’t be everywhere so we have to go with the best offers for them and things that are going to stand for John and Edward, long-term.
‘They are now signed to Next Models and this is going to be huge for them. If they weren’t pop stars, then they could easily be models – anyone can see that.’
But the brothers would go on CBB a year later – 2011 – alongside when they finished third and became best pals with US actress Tara Reid in the process.
Louis – who once claimed he turned down a million pounds to go in the I’m A Celebrity jungle – then followed suit by going into the house this year.
While furore over Louis’ comments continues to build outside the house, fears have been sparked that he could quit CBB following close friend Sharon’s exit.
It has been claimed Louis had made it clear he would not sign up for the show without Sharon – meaning he is now at risk of walking.
During the exchange, Louis revealed that he had ‘made £5million’ from the double act during his time as their manager between 2009 and 2013 (pictured on the X Factor in 2009)
Following the music manager’s remarks, Jedward insisted that ‘justice would be served’, as they launched into a scathing tirade on their X account
Gemma Collins quickly jumped to their defence on Instagram as she admitted she ‘couldn’t believe’ what was being said
Sharon was in the house for a week as a ‘Celebrity Lodger’ and headed home on Tuesday night’s live show. It is thought she has been paid £500,000 for the stint.
If Louis does leave, he will still reportedly receive his full fee which is believed to be a whopping six figures.
A source told The Sun of his potential exit: ‘Louis would only go into the show with Sharon booked in there with him. CBB pulled out all the stops to make it happen.
‘They know Louis is a flight risk now Sharon is gone and no one would be surprised if he left. Louis will still receive his full fee, so he has nothing to lose.
‘Without Sharon he will be lost as they have such a close friendship in the house. Everyone is on high alert for Louis to throw in the towel, but he’s making such good television, the producers are praying that he will stay.’
Jedward versus Louis Walsh: Inside the seven-year feud and bitter war of words between the sibling pop duo and the man who propelled them to fame
Despite only coming sixth on The X Factor 15 years ago, Jedward forged a successful showbusiness career after being taken under the wing of Louis Walsh.
With Walsh as their mentor, the identical Irish twins John and Edward Grimes, 32, became the talent show’s most memorable duo with their matching quiffs and outlandish outfits.
Their towering hair, matching outfits and bubbly personalities became the trademark look for the Dublin pop duo – who were hailed ‘role models’ by a proud Walsh – and they were quickly transformed from a novelty act to superstars.
Under Walsh’s guidance, Jedward’s first two albums went platinum in Ireland, while they also represented their country at in 2011 and 2012.
The Irish music mogul Walsh managed the pair between 2009 and 2013, but things turned sour when, in 2016, Walsh described the duo as ‘the most embarrassing thing to happen to him’.
This sparked a bitter seven-year feud between Jedward and Walsh, which has culminated in the brothers branding Walsh an ‘evil manipulator’ after he told fellow housemates the pair were ‘vile’ during Tuesday’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother.
The twins accused Walsh of being a ‘cold hearted b*****d who didn’t send flowers after their mother’s death’. During the episode, Walsh said the ‘novelty’ act were ‘vile’ but claimed they ‘made him £5million’.
Jedward also represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 and 2012 (pictured)
Jedward shot to stardom with their matching quiffs and outlandish outfits. They are pictured here on Celebrity Big Brother in 2011 doing Tara Reid’s hair
It’s in stark contrast to the complimentary words Walsh had about the duo when they performed at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf, Germany.
In an interview, Walsh said: ‘I took a chance on X Factor and everyone said I was crazy but who’s laughing now? They are laughing and everybody loves them and they’ve opened up a whole new continent to Jedward mania.
When the reporter told Walsh he ‘hated’ the duo initially, Walsh defended his stars, declaring: ‘You couldn’t hate them. Hate’s a strong word. You dislike them.’
After the reporter said he had been won over by the twins after meeting them, Walsh added: ‘And they are what they are. They are really nice kids. And they are good role models and they took a chance and it worked and that’s what life is all about.’
But after the music manager’s change of tune on Big Brother last night, Jedward insisted that ‘justice would be served’, as they launched into a scathing tirade on their X account.
One of the tweets shared by the brothers claimed: ‘Louis Walsh is an evil manipulator who forced us into an office to pay £70k from our bank account to one of his own PR workers.’
Another tweet read: ‘Louis reopened these wounds all by himself being spiteful and disrespectful we aren’t going to have our character taken. Justice will be served.’
But this is by no means the first time that Jedward have hit out at their former manager.
Identical Irish twins John and Edward Grimes, 32, were part of an iconic X Factor line-up that saw them finish behind the likes of Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs and 18-year-old winner Joe McElderry
Jedward prepare to enter the Celebrity Big Brother house in Elstree, London, in 2011
John Grimes and Edward Grimes (Jedward) share a bath together in the Big Brother house
In 2016, they attacked Walsh after he described the duo as ‘the most embarrassing thing to happen to him’.
‘I think we are the most financially beneficial act of his career in the last 10 years,’ Edward claimed.
John added: ‘I don’t think he took us under his wing. I think we were already flying and he was like, ‘Oh I think I want a part of that’.
‘I think he got old. It’s like someone saying behind your back and you are like, ‘wait, I didn’t know there was a problem’.’
Meanwhile in 2021, the twins described Walsh as a ‘two-faced b**** who uses powers for his own benefit.’
After Walsh said he was looking to launch another band like Girls Aloud, Jedward said: ‘Don’t get involved with toxic management.’
Despite being taunted by Simon Cowell while on The X Factor for not singing in tune, Jedward are said to have raked in £2.85million the following year. In 2021, it was reported they were worth £5.8million.
Jedward and Walsh parted ways in 2013 when their mother Susanna Condron took over instead.
They have formed friendships over the years with the likes of reality TV star Gemma Collins and actress Tara Reid. Reid and Jedward became unlikely best pals after teaming up in the eight series of Big Brother in 2017.
They even ended up locking down together at Reid’s LA home when the pandemic hit in 2020.
‘I feel Big Brother is a place which brought us close and coming out of the house, we’ve got even closer because we had so much life experience together,’ John previously said on Loose Women. ‘We’ve travelled the world, she came to Ireland.’
Reid, who shot to fame herself in the noughties, admitted she didn’t realise how big Jedward were until the twins took her to a show in Sweden.
Gemma Collins is joined by music duo Jedward for a DR Pepper advert last November
John and Edward Grimes are pictured as children
Jedward attend the photocall of MTV’s new show ‘Single AF’ at MTV London on June 25, 2017
Jedward experienced their own family heartbreak when their mother Susanna died in February 2019
Jedward also spent last Christmas with Collins and the trio were pictured relaxing in a hot tub ‘getting our vibes on’.
After the pandemic, the Dublin duo sparked controversy when they called for the monarchy to be abolished – just days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
A few days prior, they had been criticised for sharing insensitive comments about the Queen’s health before she passed away.
Jedward sparked outrage when they penned: ‘Abolish the monarchy and give the people real democracy!’
They followed up with a second tweet which read: ‘King Charles should hand back the six Irish counties on his visit to Northern Ireland – No war! Just words! It’s time.’
Days before, they had tweeted: ‘The Queen is dead?’ They later ‘joked’ that ‘Liz Truss must have done something on that visit to the Queen’ referring to the former Prime Minister’s visit to Balmoral Castle before the monarch’s death.
Jedward experienced their own family heartbreak when their mother Susanna died in February 2019.
They revealed how they played Fleetwood Mac and held their mother’s hand in her final days before she lost her five-year battle with cancer.
In an interview in 2020, the Irish pop duo also described their heartbreak at the prospect of their late mother not meeting their children or attending their weddings.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show, Edward said: ‘We were there when she passed and we are thankful that we were there – we were able to hold her hand.
Along with their fame, Jedward (pictured on X Factor in 2009) have also sparked controversy
Jedward run the LA Marathon in 2012
‘We had some earphones listening to some music. We listened to some Fleetwood Mac and some of her favourite songs that she liked to play.’
His brother John added: ‘It’s very disheartening to think that she won’t be at our weddings, she won’t be there at the birth of our kids, but we always keep her spirit alive like have pictures of her around and tell stories.’
‘You just feel so disconnected to the world because the person that kept you anchored in the world and gave birth to you is gone and now you don’t know where you should be, what you should be doing.’
The former X Factor stars then performed a rendition of Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. dedicated to their mother.
The siblings also shaved off their iconic quiffs on the Late Late show for charity in memory of their mother. The duo raised millions for the Irish Cancer Society.
Despite reaching the heights of fame after The X Factor, Jedward appeared to come crashing back down to Earth in 2016 when it was revealed their company had made a loss of more than £200,000.
Twins Edward, right, and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, hold a ‘Free Britney’ flag outside a hearing concerning the pop singer’s conservatorship at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in 2021, in Los Angeles
The Sun reported at the time that the twins’ Planet Jedward brand had been suffering cash problems and lost around £113,382 in 2014 and a further £90,968 in 2015.
Over the years, the pop duo have become embroiled in many a Twitter spat, including with Countdown star Rachel Riley.
Riley had joked about their music while criticising an anti-Semitic rant by grime star Wiley. The Countdown presenter, who is Jewish, said Wiley could have ended his career by performing with the Irish twins instead of making his vile remarks.
But Jedward hit back at her comments, saying she should not have targeted them. She wrote: ‘He could have just done a duet with Jedward if he was that keen to end his career.
‘An unprompted, still going, public antisemitic breakdown is a bizarre route to go down.’
But Jedward replied: ‘You are a patron for a Center for Countering Digital Hate? And yet here you are spreading Hate!! As anti bullying ambassadors we don’t approve of this!’
Riley promptly apologised and deleted her original tweet. She then replied to the duo: ‘Genuinely didn’t mean any offence to you, was just a joke and you were the least grime people I could think of.’
She also tweeted the statement: ‘Apologies to Jedward, totally flippant joke about them not being particularly grime and no offence intended.’
Jedward have also taken on Piers Morgan in the past after he called them ‘talentless cows’, while they criticised The Corrs guitarist Jim Corr for attending an anti-mask protest in Dublin during the pandemic.
The brothers wrote: ‘Dear Dublin Anti Mask Protest! Get the f*** inside you selfish low lives sincerely the rest of the country.’
Jedward have shown their own passion for activism in the past, notably joining Black Lives Matter protests in LA and calling for Britney Spears to be ‘freed’ while she was under conservatorship.
Most recently, Jedward were pictured heading to Parliament last month with Collins to campaign against animal testing.
Speaking about their friendship with Collins to The Mirror, they said last year: ‘Gemma is such a vibe, such a solid person in our lives. We’ve known each other for a few years now. There’s a lot more to Gemma, cos obviously everyone has this opinion of Gemma but she can get deep and she’s had things happen in her life.’
The twins said they were keeping busy and hoping to release new music in the future.