RTE's Talent Show judges haven't got a clue, blasts Louis in savage putdown

Pop mogul Louis Walsh has accused the judging panel on the All Ireland Talent Show of knowing nothing about music.

The Mayo man launched the attack, saying that the judges on the panel on the RTE show had no experience whatsoever in the industry.

"None of the judges, with the exception of Dana, have anything to do with music or the music business.

"I don't even know who the rest of them are. I've no idea of their names, honestly. I don't understand how most of them managed to get jobs on the show."

Blistering

Louis continued his blistering attack saying John Creedon, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, Daithi O Se and Amanda Brunker had "no experience in singing, recording managing or performing".

Walsh also said the judges were "certainly not selected on their experience in the business or their merits".

The rant took place just hours before the grand final took place in which 13-year-old Daniel Furlong, from Co Wexford, took the coveted title of the All Ireland Talent Champion 2011 and the life changing prize of €50,000.

However the Westlife and Boyzone manager said that the show doesn't make stars out of the contestants and last year's winner hadn't made it big.

"Can you remember who won their show last year? I certainly can't -- which just goes to prove my point," he added.

"I'll bet the majority of people in Ireland can't remember either."

The X Factor judge went on to say that X Factor had the ability to make stars out of the contestants.

"X Factor actually makes real stars out of the winners.

"And even some of the people who don't win," he said.

Outburst

The pop supremo continued his outburst, saying that the proof of this was Ballyfermot singer Mary Byrne, who had risen to fame following her stint on the UK show.

Louis added: "Mary Byrne is going to be huge when her album comes out next week. I guarantee it."

The music manager said Mary was proof that there was no shortage of talent in the country but he couldn't understand how RTE failed to pick talented judges.

"The talent is there in Ireland, it's not that hard to do. Besides Mary Byrne, we also had two young Irish singers in the studio finals in the show last year."

hnews@herald.ie

- Niamh Walsh