Louis Walsh reveals he went on Celebrity Big Brother after he was offered close to £1 million

Most people know Louis Walsh from The X Factor as one of the judges. However, this year, the 71-year-old decided to take part in Celebrity Big Brother and managed to come in fourth place. While on the show, Louis Walsh opened up on several aspects of his life.

The Irish music manager talked about some of his previous clients, including Jedward, who he labelled ‘vile’ and Ronan Keating, who Louis claims hasn’t had a hit since he wasn’t his manager, as reported by Express.

Louis Walsh also revealed to his housemates and national television that he had previously been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Now that the hit reality TV show is over, Walsh opened up in an interview about why he decided to participate in Celebrity Big Brother after initially turning it down.

Louis Walsh went on Celebrity Big Brother for the money

As reported by Express, Louis Walsh had initially turned down Celebrity Big Brother, which hadn’t been on television for six years, but changed his mind after he was offered a big payout.

The Irish music manager revealed that he had been offered close to £1 million to take part in the reality TV show. Walsh added that ITV had promised him safety and fun. Speaking to The Irish Independent, Walsh added that ITV ‘really wanted me’.

At first, Walsh refused as he doesn’t want ‘to be a celebrity’ he prefers ‘staying under the radar’. However, he changed his mind when ITV offered to pay him a staggering £850,000, as per Express.

They said they really, really wanted me. They kept on at me, and still I said 'no', because I was scared. I don't want to be a celebrity. It's a fake world. I have no desire. I like music and staying under the radar.

Louis Walsh has a whopping net worth

Louis Walsh made his fortune thanks to his career as a music manager. Some of his clients include Westlife, Boyzone, Girls Aloud and so on. As per Mirror, the Irish music manager’s net worth sits at a whopping £116 million.

Louis was born in Kiltimagh, County Mayo but decided to move to Dublin in the 90’s to start his career in the music industry, as reported by The Sun. Louis’s career boomed when he managed Westlife and Boyzone, two of Ireland’s most successful boybands in the 90’s and 2000’s. Louis managed Boyzone from 1993 to 2000 and Westlife from 1998 to 2012.

As expected, Louis Walsh also made a lot of his money through his TV career. Indeed, as per Heart, Walsh has been a judge on several talent shows including Popstars: The Rivals, The X Factor and Ireland's Got Talent.

Despite his massive fortune, Louis Walsh prefers a quiet life. Walsh owns several homes and fans were permitted to see a glimpse into his London spartan home while he was on X Factor in 2005 when he held the judges' houses stage. Louis Walsh also owns a property in Dublin and another in Miami.

Read more:

⋙ Ekin-Su's net worth and salary: How much the Love Island star earns today

⋙ Davina McCall has a net worth of £3.1 million: How has she made her fortune?

⋙ Celebrity Big Brother’s Ekin-Su misses interview on ITV’s Lorraine after exit from the show

Sources used:

Express: ‘Louis Walsh only went on Celebrity Big Brother for money as he reveals staggering payout’

Mirror: ‘Inside Louis Walsh's spartan home despite music mogul's staggering £116m net worth’

The Irish Independent: ‘They said I was going to be safe, it was going to be fun and I’d probably win it’ – Louis Walsh talks about his €1m stint on Big Brother’

Heart: ‘Who is Louis Walsh? His age, height and net worth revealed’

The Sun: ‘THE MANAGER What is Louis Walsh’s net worth?’