Published Friday, 02 November 2012
X Factor Judges Tulisa and Louis (© Rex Features)
Barbed comments have long been part and parcel of the X Factor show, with the judges keen to get one over on the competition and do what it takes to keep their acts in the show.
But Gary's remarks during last Saturday's live "fright night" seemed to really catch everyone - especially Tulisa - off guard.
"I was shocked! I would never say that to Tulisa," Louis said, ahead of the show's next live round.
"Mind you, I do always smell cigarette smoke on her ...
"I couldn't believe Sir Gary Barlow said that. He definitely let his Mr Nice Guy mask slip. He wants a knighthood. I reckon he's blown his chances. We could well be looking at Dame Tulisa instead now!"
There was a really frosty atmosphere after Saturday's show. This one is going to run and run ...
Louis Walsh
The Irishman added that he thought Gary - who has since apologised - made the comment because he "couldn't handle the truth" when Tulisa criticised his mentoring of Christopher Maloney.
"I'm not into cabaret artists. Christopher Maloney is very dated and old fashioned - he's like Cilla Black!" Louis said.
"Tulisa was right to have a go at Gary about his dated song choices. He just couldn't accept it."
According to Louis, while tensions might still be raised between the feuding pair, the two female judges are getting on much better than their predecessors.
"Tulisa and Nicole are getting on better than any other female Judges have done in the past. No catfights as of yet ..." he said.
"It's a walk in the park compared to the year when Sharon and Dannii were judges. Those two really didn't get on. It was like a battle of the divas!"