Louis Walsh has never been one to hold back when it comes to his opinions on the music industry, and his latest comments about former Boyzone star Ronan Keating are likely to raise eyebrows.
The former X Factor judge has claimed that Keating's music career is effectively over, insisting the Irish singer will never score another hit.
Ronan Keating. Editorial credit: Mick Atkins, Shutterstock
Given Walsh's own history of controversial comments and on-screen behaviour, the remarks are unlikely to be the only thing attracting attention.
Walsh, who managed Boyzone before the group went on to become one of the UK's most commercially successful boybands, said he was responsible for the group's success and selected the songs that helped launch Keating's career.
The Big Interview: Louis Walsh airs on Tuesday 27 October at 9pm on Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One
Speaking on the latest instalment of The Big Interview, Walsh revisited his falling-out with Keating and claimed the singer had lost his way after achieving solo success.
“I did all the work on Boyzone, everybody knows that, they were the puppets for Westlife, and I picked all the songs.”
Boyzone. Photo credit, Mick Atkins, Shutterstock
“Ronan started believing his own publicity then,” Walsh recalled. “He said to me one day in the Four Seasons, ‘I don’t want to be a karaoke artist anymore.’ But that’s what he is!
“I was picking all the songs – he hasn’t had a hit since. He hasn’t! He’s singing all the old songs now, he doesn’t have a record deal. He was great to work with at the start, but then he believed it.”
The Big Interview: Louis Walsh airs on Tuesday 27 October at 9pm on Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One
Walsh went on to declare that Keating's days as a pop star were over.
“It’s over – he’s never going to be a pop star now,” he said. “He’s never going to have another hit. I’m happy.
“We had great times together, we had great fun, but it was a bad divorce, and it’s fine – I’m over it. I’d say he’s happy enough in his life, because he’s always gonna be working.
“He’ll either be a DJ, or he’ll act, or he’ll dance. He can do anything.”
Ronan Keating. Editorial credit: Mick Atkins, Shutterstock
The pair's relationship has been strained for years, with Walsh's latest comments suggesting that their professional split remains a sore point.
However, Walsh's remarks are also likely to bring renewed attention to his own controversial history.
In 2014, footage from The Xtra Factor showed Walsh repeatedly touching fellow judge Mel B's backside during a televised interview.
Former Spice Girl Mel B. Editorial credit: Fred Duval, Shutterstock
The former Spice Girl stopped the conversation to ask him, “Why are you grabbing my butt?”, before describing his behaviour as inappropriate and moving away from him. The incident attracted widespread criticism when the footage resurfaced in 2018.
The incident has continued to draw criticism, with viewers questioning why Walsh's behaviour was laughed off at the time rather than taken more seriously.
It is another example of the controversy that has followed the music manager throughout his career, even as he continues to make headlines for his outspoken opinions on some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry.
