The X Factor: Louis Walsh's decision to recruit Mika as a guest at Judges' Houses divides fans... as some express excitement while others ask 'where have they dug him up from?'

He's in charge of the Boys' category this year and has flown them over to Istanbul for the Judges' Houses round.

But veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh's choice in an accomplice has baffled certain fans of the show.

While Simon Cowell has choppered in X Factor golden girl Cheryl, Nicole Scherzinger recruited MOBO winning Stormzy, and Sharon Osbourne has enlisted her two famous children Kelly and Jack, Louis' choice of lesser-known Mika has confused many viewers.

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'Where have they dug him up from?' Louis Walsh's decision to recruit Mika as a guest at Judges' Houses divides fans

'Where have they dug him up from?' Louis Walsh's decision to recruit Mika as a guest at Judges' Houses divides fans

The Boys' category - which features Jack Mason, Lloyd Macey, Sam Black, Aidan Martin, Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland - may indeed feel they've got the raw end of the deal in comparison, as the young men are likely to have not heard of him if the reaction on Twitter on Saturday night were anything to go by.

Showing a teaser clip of what to expect from Louis' Judges' Houses episode, viewers flocked to the micro-blogging site to weigh in on his choice of guest judge.

'#XFactor..... Mika?..... Bloody Mika?....is there REALLY not anyone from Westlife free??' one person joked, kicking off the flurry of tweets.

Random: Veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh's choice in an accomplice has baffled certain fans of the show

Random: Veteran X Factor judge Louis Walsh's choice in an accomplice has baffled certain fans of the show

Blast from the past: Showing a teaser clip of what to expect from Louis' Judges' Houses episode, viewers flocked to the micro-blogging site to weigh in on his choice of guest judge

Blast from the past: Showing a teaser clip of what to expect from Louis' Judges' Houses episode, viewers flocked to the micro-blogging site to weigh in on his choice of guest judge

Someone remarked: 'Can't wait to see tomorrow's contestants pretending to be excited that Mika is the celebrity guest'

Someone remarked: 'Can't wait to see tomorrow's contestants pretending to be excited that Mika is the celebrity guest'

Another wrote: '"Who's Mika?" My son speaks for everyone under 16,' alluding to the fact that Mika has been quiet on the mainstream music scene of late.

'Louis has Mika??? Couldn't he find anyone less famous who wanted to join him?? Gonna be interesting,' a third person wrote, echoed by a fourth who typed: 'Bloody hell! Mika! Where have they dug him up from?'

A fifth typed: 'Can't wait to see tomorrow's contestants pretending to be excited that Mika is the celebrity guest.' 

Bum deal? The Boys' category may indeed feel they've got the raw end of the deal  as the young men are likely to have not heard of him if the reaction on Twitter on Saturday night were anything to go by

Bum deal? The Boys' category may indeed feel they've got the raw end of the deal as the young men are likely to have not heard of him if the reaction on Twitter on Saturday night were anything to go by

Hopefuls: Jack Mason, Lloyd Macey, Sam Black, Aidan Martin, Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland are all hoping for a pass to the live shows

Hopefuls: Jack Mason, Lloyd Macey, Sam Black, Aidan Martin, Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland are all hoping for a pass to the live shows

Flashback: Mika [real name Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr] was Lebanese-born but is English and rose to recognition after recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday, in 2007

Flashback: Mika [real name Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr] was Lebanese-born but is English and rose to recognition after recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday, in 2007

New material: Others were quick to disagree; someone posted 'In case yall were wondering what Mika has been up to, he released a new song just this Friday'

New material: Others were quick to disagree; someone posted 'In case yall were wondering what Mika has been up to, he released a new song just this Friday'

Joking about lowering the budget on Louis and Sharon's guests judges, someone posted: 'The Osbourne kids and Mika. Really stretching that 50p guest judge budget'

Joking about lowering the budget on Louis and Sharon's guests judges, someone posted: 'The Osbourne kids and Mika. Really stretching that 50p guest judge budget'

Joking about lowering the budget on Louis and Sharon's guests judges, someone posted: 'The Osbourne kids and Mika. Really stretching that 50p guest judge budget.'

'Why do they reduce the budget for Louis' echoed someone else, followed by another who posted: 'Mika? To help Louis choose? When did Mika last have a hit?' 

'F**king Mika? Mika?! He hasn't been about since 2007?!' ranted another.

Further tweets included 'Mika he hasn’t released anything in years', 'How random that Louis Walsh has Mika as guest judge', and 'Mika is still a thing???' 

Second chance: The young dad, who revealed he was 'over the moon', was chosen by Louis despite not even making it to the Six Chair Challenge round 

In it to win it: Sam Black and Jack Mason are hoping to get through to the live shows
In it to win it: Sam Black and Jack Mason are hoping to get through to the live shows

In it to win it: Sam Black and Jack Mason are hoping to get through to the live shows

The boys: Only three of the six will make it through to next week

The boys: Only three of the six will make it through to next week

Down time: The boys were whisked off to Turkey for Louis Judges' Houses round

Down time: The boys were whisked off to Turkey for Louis Judges' Houses round

Others were quick to disagree; someone posted: 'In case yall were wondering what Mika has been up to, he released a new song just this Friday.' 

'Omg I used to love Mika,' someone else gushed, clearly happy to have the blast from the past. 

'Can't wait for tomorrow, well excited for Mika to be a guest judge for Louis,' posted a fan, as another wrote: 'YAAAAASSS about time #Mika was relevant in the UK again.'

Mika [real name Michael Holbrook Penniman, Jr] was Lebanese-born but is English and rose to recognition after recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday, in 2007. 

Who will it be: The category has a lot to live up to after Matt Terry's win last year

Who will it be: The category has a lot to live up to after Matt Terry's win last year

Dinner for seven: Louis and Mika will be deciding who will get sent home

Dinner for seven: Louis and Mika will be deciding who will get sent home

He released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion which sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and won Best British Breakthrough act for it - also receiving a Grammy Award nomination.

Mika released his second extended play, Songs for Sorrow, of which limited edition copies are now sold out worldwide, in 2008 and in 2009 he released his second studio album, The Boy Who Knew Too Much.

His third album, The Origin of Love, was released internationally in 2012 and his latest album, No Place in Heaven, was released in June 2015.

Among the hopefuls Mika and Louis will be judging at Judges' Houses is Sam Black - who is a last minute replacement.

Singing for their lives: Leon Mallett and Lloyd Macey will compete against each other for a place in the final 12
Singing for their lives: Leon Mallett and Lloyd Macey will compete against each other for a place in the final 12

Singing for their lives: Leon Mallett and Lloyd Macey will compete against each other for a place in the final 12

Last supper: Each contestant will sing for a place in the live shows

Last supper: Each contestant will sing for a place in the live shows

Picturesque: Aidan Martin and Spencer Sutherland will perform against the backdrop of the Istanbul skyline
Picturesque: Aidan Martin and Spencer Sutherland will perform against the backdrop of the Istanbul skyline

Picturesque: Aidan Martin and Spencer Sutherland will perform against the backdrop of the Istanbul skyline

After Anthony Russell had to drop out ahead of flying to Turkey, Louis has chosen Sam to replace him.

Anthony's axing from the ITV show was surrounded by an alleged drug scandal with young dad Sam, 27, winning over the hearts of female viewers when he proposed to his girlfriend Emma onstage at Wembley following his shaky Boot Camp audition, which saw the judges decide not to put him through despite being an early fan favourite. 

Louis commented: 'Anthony has been fantastic across the series, a great singer and performer who we are really sad to see go.

Token hunks: Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland have already had the girls going this season
Token hunks: Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland have already had the girls going this season

Token hunks: Leon Mallett and Spencer Sutherland have already had the girls going this season

'I had to think for a long time who could take the place. Sam had a great reaction from the British public when his audition aired.

'So I re-watched it and realised we missed a trick not putting him through at Boot Camp.

'He has that retro 60s style viewers will love. He's really likeable and talented and I can’t wait to hear more.'

Sam, who works as a plasterer, said: 'Obviously, I feel terrible for Anthony because he is not only an amazing singer but also a lovely guy.

Given the boot: Louis commented, 'Anthony has been fantastic across the series, a great singer and performer who we are really sad to see go'

Given the boot: Louis commented, 'Anthony has been fantastic across the series, a great singer and performer who we are really sad to see go'

Memorable: Sam, 27, won over the hearts of female viewers when he proposed to his girlfriend Emma onstage at Wembley following his shaky Boot Camp audition

Memorable: Sam, 27, won over the hearts of female viewers when he proposed to his girlfriend Emma onstage at Wembley following his shaky Boot Camp audition

'He has even messaged me good luck. I really appreciate the second chance I've been given and I feel so lucky to get this opportunity. My family and I are over the moon.' 

Meanwhile, Louis  has revealed that he and judge Sharon will be sticking around for the next season.

The 65-year-old Irish music mogul revealed that he and the rock manager have already signed for next year's competition, but also hinted that fellow judge Nicole may not be returning.

Speaking to The Mirror, Louis revealed who he would like to see return to the panel in 2018. 

He's back! X Factor judge Louis Walsh revealed that he and fellow judge Sharon Osbourne had already signed up for the next series, but also hinted Nicole Scherzinger may not return

He's back! X Factor judge Louis Walsh revealed that he and fellow judge Sharon Osbourne had already signed up for the next series, but also hinted Nicole Scherzinger may not return

As the longest standing judge on the panel, fans will undoubtedly delight in news of Louis' return yet Nicole's possible departure could concern others.  

Louis said: 'I'll give up when she [Sharon] does. I love it, it's not like work. This is not like work, it's great fun. I'm getting paid to do something I love. I'm signed for next year, so is Sharon. Let's see about Nicole.

When asked who else he would like to see on the panel, he added: 'I would bring in Mel B, I love her, she's a survivor. I love Nicole a little bit more. Nicole is my favourite female judge ever, she brings so much. 

Power pair: It comes after Louis Walsh revealed he and Sharon will be returning next series, but hinted Nicole would like to return to making music
Power pair: It comes after Louis Walsh revealed he and Sharon will be returning next series, but hinted Nicole would like to return to making music

Power pair: Sharon will be returning next series, Louis told The Mirror, but hinted Nicole would like to return to making music

Back again! The pals are set to return to the show yet he claims Nicole's future is uncertain

Back again! The pals are set to return to the show yet he claims Nicole's future is uncertain

'I adore her, I love her more than she loves me. Seriously, she's just the best, she's amazing. She wants to win this year.'

Louis made the revelation after Nicole recently hinted she would like to get back to making music after a three year hiatus. 

The star told Talk TV: 'I really care and it's always a huge decision for me whether I come back or not, because I know it's 100% or nothing. If I don't come back, it's not because I don't love the show.'

His favourite: When asked who else he would like to see on the panel, he added: 'I would bring in Mel B, I love her, she's a survivor. I love Nicole a little bit more. Nicole is my favourite female judge ever, she brings so much'

His favourite: When asked who else he would like to see on the panel, he added: 'I would bring in Mel B, I love her, she's a survivor. I love Nicole a little bit more. Nicole is my favourite female judge ever, she brings so much'

Bombshell: Louis made the revelation after Nicole recently hinted she would like to get back to making music after a three year hiatus

Bombshell: Louis made the revelation after Nicole recently hinted she would like to get back to making music after a three year hiatus

'It's because I'm a singer first... Adele took time out to work on her music. Ed [Sheeran] took some time. I think every artist needs that, to reflect.'

X Factor frontman Simon previously hinted the Cheryl could return to the panel should Nicole decide to leave. Simon told The Daily Star: 'We’ll consider it. Let’s wait till the end of the show…'

Cheryl's boyfriend Liam Payne added to the rumours, saying: 'Cheryl and Simon spoke about her going back next year. Obviously Simon is desperate to get her back. Cheryl and Simon have such a lovely relationship.'

Power panel: Simon has hinted at a shake-up of this years panel, saying Cheryl may return next year

Power panel: Simon has hinted at a shake-up of this years panel, saying Cheryl may return next year

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