The X Factor judge Louis Walsh said he would consider assisted suicide to avoid spending his life in a nursing home when older.

The 64-year-old said he agreed with TV personalities Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan who revealed in 2014 that they have an assisted suicide pact if one of them falls seriously ill.

Louis Walsh said he would "take some pills and fly off" when he gets old (Dominic Lipinski/PA)
Louis Walsh said he would “take some pills and fly off” (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Asked whether he would follow in their footsteps, Louis told Digital Spy: “Yes, I would. I’ve thought about that.

“I don’t want to hang around in a wheelchair in a nursing home. I don’t. I don’t want to be like that.

“I have thought about it recently. I would take some pills and fly off. That’s why we have to enjoy ourselves while we are here.”

Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan
Richard and Judy said they have an assisted suicide pact (Ian West/PA)

He is returning to screens on Saturday night as part of the new X Factor judging panel, after being replaced by Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw in the last series.

Louis joins Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne for the reality show’s 13th season.

The X Factor begins on Saturday on ITV at 8pm.