This year's revamped X Factor judging panel was always going to take some getting used to but even Simon Cowell must admit it hasn't been entirely successful.

And now, after weeks of onscreen rowing and tension, it seems no judge is safe. Well... except for Louis Walsh.

According to Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa have yet to be offered a new deal and will have to wait five months to discover their X Factor fate.

But Simon has reportedly told Louis he can "plan for the next series if he wants to".

An insider told the tabloid, "Louis is the only judge who has been verbally offered a deal. Despite all the reports that he has been sacked, he is 100 per cent nailed on to be back - if he wants the job."

That's by no means definite, of course, but we've a sneaking suspicion there will be many more years of "it's all about the voice" and "you've got the likeability factor" still to come.