Louis Walsh has said that he has "no plans" to take part in Celebrity Big Brother despite recent rumours linking him with the show.

The iconic reality series is returning for a new run this March on ITV1 and producers are thought to have been handed a £2 million budget to secure top names to take part.

The X Factor judge and music manager Walsh, 71, is said to have been approached about appearing, but speaking to Sunday World, he insisted that he is focused on his two boybands.

"I have no plans to do any reality TV this year as right now it's all about the music for me with Westlife and Next In Line," he said.

"Believe it or not, I never wanted any personal fame - that is something that happened unexpectedly when Simon Cowell asked me to be a judge on The X Factor.

"It's still the biggest buzz I get in life, especially when I see the success that Westlife are continuing to enjoy around the world. They're now more popular and more successful globally than at any other stage in their career."

Other celebs linked with the show include Sarah Ferguson, Shirley Ballas, Rebekah Vardy and Phillip Schofield.