Louis Walsh's bitter war-of-words with Ronan Keating over the years

10 March 2024 , 19:55

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Louis Walsh and Ronan Keating haven't got on for years

Louis Walsh is no stranger to winding up celebrities and has clashed with many well-known faces in the past.

The Celebrity Big Brother star, 71, has been ruffling feathers in the ITV house with his typical outspoken style. The Irish talent manager revealed on the very first episode that he wasn't a big fan of David Potts - but David needn't be offended... Louis has done it all before.

The former X Factor judge previously admitted that he doesn't like Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, despite managing the band. Over the years, he's taken opportunities to blast him and once even described Ronan as a "little manufactured popstar who actually believed his own publicity". Ouch!

Louis Walsh's bitter war-of-words with Ronan Keating over the years qhiddeiqtuidekinv

Ronan simply laughed when Louis called him a 'diva' (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Bac)

Louis Walsh's bitter war-of-words with Ronan Keating over the years

Louis brutally branded Ronan a 'manufactured popstar' (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Speaking on Angela Scanlon's Ask Me Anything on RTE in 2022, Louis said: "I look after Westlife, and they are doing great. They are selling out everywhere." Then he made a sly comment, as he hinted that too many people on TV act like "everyone" is nice when they are not. He added: "It's just my opinion... I don't like everybody."

The 71-year-old music mogul was then asked whether he thought Ronan would be a good fit for Bond amid the search for Daniel Craig's replacement. Louis said: "He's not good enough to be James Bond. You know what, there's nobody better... he'd put himself forward, that's one thing about him!"

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This isn't the first time there have been harsh words between music judge Louis and pop star Ronan. Despite working together for years as part of Boyzone and then for Ronan's solo career, the pair appear to have a bitter feud. In 2012, Louis lashed out at his former protege during an interview with Q Magazine labelling Ronan 'talentless and spoiled'.

Claiming the fame went to Ronan's head, Louis slammed the star: "His head got turned by having nice hotels and chauffeur-driven cars, and he thought he could write songs. If you're Ronan Keating, who was working in a shoe shop when I discovered him, but end [up] thinking you're George Michael, then you need to be stopped."

On another occasion, Louis told The Times that Ronan was a "little manufactured popstar who actually believed his own publicity". He savagely added: "Ronan thought he was George Michael... He said he didn't want to be a karaoke artist. Well that's what he is."

Louis also branded the singer and presenter as a diva. However, this shot caught Ronan's attention, who responded on Twitter: "Allegedly someone called me a Diva. Haha f**k me they obviously never met me or managed me."

During an interview with Magic FM's, Ronan opened up on the feud with Louis for the first time. In a gracious response, Ronan explained: "He was very important to me as a mentor and I'm grateful for the opportunities he gave me, because I wouldn't be here without them. But there's only so much you can give back and be so grateful, and for that not to be appreciated or respected."