Louis Walsh: "Simon Cowell Wouldn't Spot a Talent Like Elvis Presley"  8/7/07

Music mogul Louis Walsh has criticized Simon Cowell for failing to spot real talent on his reality TV shows, insisting he would even pass on a young Elvis Presley if he had auditioned on the program.

The Irish impresario was fired from British talent search The X Factor in March (07), after three years of fronting the show alongside Cowell and Sharon Osbourne. He was reinstated to the judging panel in June (07).

But the 55-year-old is still at odds with Cowell and believes he wouldn't want to risk his reputation on a "quirky" rocker like the late Presley.

He says, "If Elvis had auditioned I'd have put him through because I get it.

He has the looks, the voice, the charisma. But I don't think Simon would have put him through. He wouldn't get it.

"Not unless it was very obvious - because that's what he likes. Sharon would have loved him. She loves quirky rock and roll."

Presley died in 1977 aged 42.