Remember when Louis Walsh walked out of X Factor one week, apparently quitting the show because he just couldn’t hack it any more? He was back in place for the next Saturday, of course, but it gave the tabloids a week’s worth of sensationalism.

You’ll remember than earlier this year the tabloids got excited because he’d been sacked as a judge. And, as sure as night follows day, he’s now been reinstated. And the tabloids have something new to write about.

Apparently, Brian Friedman signed up to be a judge, despite not wanting to, er, be a judge. So what’s next? Dermot signed up despite not wanted to present, so Kate will be back? Dannii Minogue will have a massive fight with Sharon and walk out? We’ll basically revert to the old format, bit by bit?

But it’s all entertaining, and I guess The X Factor plays to the pantomime spirit that the British, and the celebrity gossip magazines in particular, love. It’s addictive viewing – and whatever they do to the format, I bet I’ll be hooked.