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Friday, 9 March 2007

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Kate Thornton and Louis Walsh are axed from X Factor

Simon Cowell decides on new line-up

Kate Thornton and Louis Walsh have been booted off The X Factor by Simon Cowell.

The pair were told on Wednesday that they were going to be dropped from the award-winning show.

And while Louis, 54, is said to be handling the news well, Kate, 34, is reportedly devastated.

'The news came as a real shock to Louis and Kate,' a source tells The Sun. 'Kate was in tears. She loved doing the show and felt she did a good job. But Louis is now fairly philosophical as it was never his be-all-and-end-all.

'He hardly made any money out of being a judge, he did it for a laugh.'

Lucky Louis has also been told he can manage the winning act from the next series.

It's thought that Simon Cowell, 47, who owns the rights to the show, wants to freshen up the programme which will return in the summer.

'After three incredible years, I have decided to leave The X Factor to completely focus on my day job,' Louis said. 'I also look forward to managing the stars from this year's series.'

Kate said: 'Presenting The X Factor has been fantastic. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to some new programmes with ITV.'