Former X Factor star Louis Walsh denies he will appear on I'm A Celebrity this year... despite dropping hints to the contrary

Published: 03:58 EST, 18 October 2015 | Updated: 17:54 EST, 18 October 2015

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Louis Walsh has denied he'll be heading to the jungle to compete on I'm A Celebrity this year - despite reports claiming otherwise.

After hinting that he would sign up to take part in the forthcoming series of the show, the 63-year-old music manager appears to have had a change of heart.

A spokesperson for Louis told MailOnline: 'He's not doing the show, despite the approaches from the show's bosses.'

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Not true: Louis Walsh has denied he'll be heading to the jungle to compete on I'm A Celebrity this year - despite reports claiming otherwise

Talking to the Mirror, Louis had coyly hinted that a trip to the Australian outback - where the show is filmed - in a few weeks could be a reality, saying: 'If I'm not in the jungle this year, I'll do it next year.'

The outspoken Irishman had also been rumoured to be making a return to Simon Cowell's flagship show, The X Factor as a judge, but this has also been denied.

However having left the show last year, after 10 years as a judge, the former Boyzone manager has been heavily linked to I'm A Celebrity - with the show's producers keen to sign him up.

An insider explained: 'Louis would be fantastic in the jungle – we’d love to get him involved.

Time for a change: The outspoken Irishman, 63, had been rumoured to be making a return to Simon Cowell's show, X Factor as a judge, but this isn't the case

'He doesn’t hold back from saying what he thinks and he’s very, very funny.'

However Louis also hinted that he may be making an X Factor comeback in some capacity, revealing 'there is a possibility he might end up on the show'.

Appearing on ITV's Loose Women a few weeks ago, the veteran judge said: 'Simon said the door was open to me months ago. I talked to him last night. There is a possibility I might end up on the show, but I don't know for definite.

'I'd like to. I'm available. There is a possibility. It's up to Simon and I get on with him really well. I have worked with him for 12 years. We talk all the time. I think there is a chance.

'There is a possibility I might end up on the show': Louis has also hinted that he may be making an X Factor comeback in some capacity

'It's the best show in the world - it's the most talked about TV show - there are three or four acts on the show this year that are incredible.'

But Amanda Holden - a close-friend to both Louis and Simon - revealed that rumours about Louis' return to the X Factor panel were ill-founded in a recent interview with MailOnline - indicating that he may be heading to the jungle instead.

'It's not true,' she said. 'He's in Miami on holiday. He probably started the rumours himself. I don't think he's livid that he's not on the panel this year because he's a good sport.

'I think he probably feels left out and a little sad more than anything. He's quite indiscreet but I love that about him. He loves publicity.'

'It's not true': Amanda Holden revealed that rumours about Louis' return to the X Factor panel were ill-founded in a recent interview with MailOnline - indicating that he may be heading to the jungle instead