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The girl group Louis Walsh really cares about

Why X Factor losers Bad Lashes and Girlband were doomed from the start

Louis Walsh auditioned 700 girls in Ireland

Louis Walsh lost both of his girl groups in the first two weeks of The X Factor live shows, but Now can reveal that he never had a real incentive to get Bad Lashes and Girlband over the first hurdle.

The mentor's energies were focused on the as yet unnamed girl group he’s put together.

‘The last thing Louis would’ve wanted was for a girl band to triumph on The X Factor and take the shine off his new group,’ says an insider. ‘They never got Louis’s full attention or expertise because he’s been focused on his own group since July.’

Initially, Louis, 56, joined forces with Westlife’s Kian Egan to create a group that could knock fellow judge Cheryl’s band Girls Aloud off their pedestal.

Instead, they’ll be hoping to fill the void the band will leave when they split.

After auditioning more than 700 girls in Ireland this summer, 5 were chosen: Kasey Smith, Corrina Durran, Sharon Condon, Leanne Learmont and ex-Hollyoaks star Jodi Albert – who just happens to be Kian Egan’s fiancée.

‘These girls have been practising around the clock,’ says our insider.

Louis’s obviously already over any disappointment about only having boyband JLS left in The X Factor. He has huge confidence in Jodi and co.

‘My new band will be massive next year,’ he tells Now. ‘Four Irish girls and Jodi – they’re incredible.’

See the full story in Now magazine dated 3 November 2008 - out now!