'Simon who?' Louis Walsh takes charge as X Factor's nastiest judge Cowell is stuck in traffic... (leading Sharon to suggest they put EVERYONE through)

By ALICE EVANS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

He's known for his blunt comments which have reduced many an X Factor hopeful to tears.

But contestants breathed a sigh of relief when Simon Cowell failed to show for several auditions in Sunday night's episode, leaving co-judge Louis Walsh in charge.

The music magnate, 57, was stuck in a traffic jam as the show headed to Liverpool, leaving many aspiring pop stars hoping they'd have an easy ride through to the next round.

Then there were three: Simon Cowell failed to show for auditions in Sunday night's episode of the X Factor, leaving Louis Walsh (centre) to take charge as he, Sharon Osborne (left) and Nicole Scherzinger (right) were left without Mr Nasty in Liverpool

Then there were three: Simon Cowell failed to show for auditions in Sunday night's episode of the X Factor, leaving Louis Walsh (centre) to take charge as he, Sharon Osborne (left) and Nicole Scherzinger (right) were left without Mr Nasty in Liverpool

That's show business: The music mogul, 57, was stuck in traffic , leaving many aspiring pop stars hoping they'd have an easy ride through to the next round

That's show business: The music magnate, 57, was stuck in traffic , leaving many aspiring pop stars hoping they'd have an easy ride through to the next round

The show began with host Dermot O'Leary's comic voiceover accompanied by shots of the gridlock, beeping horns, and an irritated Cowell sitting helplessly in a taxi in the middle of it all.

Dermot said: 'Even the boss himself is running late'.

Many fans were delighted to see Louis step up to take the chair in the centre of the judge's table - to a tongue-in-cheek backing track of I've Got the Power.

Sharon Osborne said: 'Simon who? You've been here the longest - you run the show.'

Stepping up: Many fans were delighted to see Louis take the chair in the centre of the judge's table - to a tongue-in-cheek backing track of I've Got the Power

Stepping up: Many fans were delighted to see Louis take the chair in the centre of the judge's table - to a tongue-in-cheek backing track of I've Got the Power

Easy ride! Louis proposed a yes from two judges should secure contestants a place in the next round, but Sharon quipped: 'We don't need any f****** yeses, just put everybody through'

Easy ride! Louis proposed a yes from two judges should secure contestants a place in the next round, but Sharon quipped: 'We don't need any f****** yeses, just put everybody through'

Kiltimagh-born Louis, 65, said: 'We don't need Simon. I'm in charge today and we're going to find a winner. From Ireland'

Kiltimagh-born Louis, 65, said: 'We don't need Simon. I'm in charge today and we're going to find a winner. From Ireland'

But when Louis proposed a yes from two judges should secure contestants a place in the next round, Sharon quipped: 'We don't need any f****** yeses, just put everybody through.'

Louis, Sharon, and Nicole Scherzinger all seemed to agree they were better off without Mr Nasty in the driving seat.

Kiltimagh-born Louis, 65, said: 'We don't need Simon. I'm in charge today and we're going to find a winner. From Ireland.' 

But Louis' dream of finding a contender from his home country soon dwindled as he pulled faces at the first three 'quirky' sounding singers - all from Ireland - who received a resounding 'no' from each cringing judge.

When Simon eventually arrived he was quick to remark on the poor quality of the auditions he'd missed, adding: 'Let's raise the bar.'

Cringe: Louis' dream of finding a contender from his home country soon dwindled as he pulled faces at the first three singers - all from Ireland - who got a resounding 'no' from each judge

Cringe: Louis' dream of finding a contender from his home country soon dwindled as he pulled faces at the first three singers - all from Ireland - who got a resounding 'no' from each judge

Sorting things out: When Simon eventually arrived he was quick to remark on the poor quality of the auditions he'd missed, adding: 'Let's raise the bar'

Sorting things out: When Simon eventually arrived he was quick to remark on the poor quality of the auditions he'd missed, adding: 'Let's raise the bar'

XfactorSimon Cowell

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