X Factor: Louis Walsh talks Rough Copy exit and Group Changes

Louis Walsh has spoken about Rough Copy’s dramatic exit from this year’s X Factor and the quick decisions that had to be made in their absence.

Discussing his choices after hip-hop trio had to be dropped from the Judges’ Houses after one of the group was unable to sort out their US visa problems in time, Louis describe how he was left torn by two bands that left a lasting impression in the boot camp stages.

Two groups – Triple J and Times Red – were called up to fill the gap, with Triple J re-branding as Union J following the addition of solo auditionee, George Shelley to the group.

Speaking about the last-minute switches, Louis said: “When Rough Copy left, I found it difficult to choose between two groups to fill their place. In the end I invited boyband Triple J to come to Judges’ Houses, but still felt that as I’d lost such a strong group in Rough Copy that I wanted to make sure the category was the best it could possibly be.

“I asked Gary, Nicole and Tulisa if they minded if I took a seventh act. They were happy as they felt they’d got the right six acts for their Judges’ Houses trips so I asked Times Red to come along and they said yes.”

Union J described their second chance as a once in a lifetime opportunity, saying:”We’re so happy to be a four piece too. The group feels so right together, it feels like we’ve been together for years!”

The X Factor Episode 4: Times Red Meanwhile, Times Red added: “We are beyond excited about having a second chance. We have nothing to lose so we’re going all-out to impress in Vegas.”