X Factor judge Louis Walsh says he would consider assisted suicide

The X Factor judge Louis Walsh said he would consider assisted suicide to avoid spending his life in a nursing home when older.

The 64-year-old said he agreed with TV personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who revealed in 2014 that they have an assisted suicide pact if one of them falls seriously ill.

Asked whether he would follow in their footsteps, Walsh told Digital Spy: "Yes, I would. I've thought about that.

"I don't want to hang around in a wheelchair in a nursing home. I don't. I don't want to be like that.

"I have thought about it recently. I would take some pills and fly off. That's why we have to enjoy ourselves while we are here."

He is returning to screens on Saturday night as part of the new X Factor judging panel, after being replaced by Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw in the last series.

Walsh joins Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne for the show's 13th season.

:: The X Factor begins on Saturday on ITV at 8pm.