Louis tips Matt to win

Louis Walsh thinks Matt Cardle will win 'The X Factor'.

The Kiltimagh-born judge is tipping the 27-year-old singer - who is mentored by Dannii Minogue - to triumph in the competition, and thinks his own act Mary Byrne will join Matt and boyband One Direction in the show's final three.

Louis said: "One Direction, Mary and Matt will all make the final. Matt's the favourite. He ticks every box.

"Mary knows I'm being honest. I don't tow the line, I'm not there to keep everyone happy. My aim is to get her to the final and get her a recording contract. Anyway, at least she sings live and doesn't use any of the tricks some of the others use."

Meanwhile Louis criticised 17-year-old hopeful Cher Lloyd - who music mogul Simon Cowell had said delivered the "performance of the season" on Saturday night - for rapping too much, but added he is a firm fan of single mum Rebecca Ferguson, 24.

He added to heat magazine: "Cher has all those stage distractions because she couldn't just walk out and sing. She raps too much. It's the same thing every week. But Cheryl sees a lot of herself in Cher.

"I love Rebecca, she's the most honest, gorgeous girl behind the scenes."