Simon Cowell went all guns blazing for the latest series of The X Factor: poaching Rita Ora from BBC’s The Voice; drafting in young audience pleaser Nick Grimshaw; booting old-time judge Louis Walsh from the panel; and sticking with pretty Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Simon CowellSimon Cowell is calling in old pal Louis Walsh to help with The X Factor's ratings slump

He’s changed the category format, thrown everyone’s favourite presenter, Dermot O’Leary, away and declared war on his Saturday night rival, Strictly Come Dancing.

But still it seems that the once juggernaut of weekend television just cannot get back its viewers and lost three million TV watchers to the BBC One dancing show during the two shows crossover last weekend.

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So, in a desperate bid to bring it back to its former glory, The Sun has reported that Simon made a crisis call to Louis Walsh to ask his help in reviving the show.

The X Factor judgesThis year's X Factor judging panel has yet to hit the ratings spot

An insider revealed: "Simon has called Louis to chat through what hasn’t worked with the show so far this year.

"They remain close friends and Simon respects Louis’s opinion - he was a key factor behind the success of The X Factor.

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"He’s staying loyal to Grimmy but Louis very much remains a part of the X Factor family."

Louis Walsh is rumoured to be the second Louis that Simon is hoping will help the show with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson due to be appearing at the judges’ houses stage.