AceShowbiz - Robbie Williams has been tipped to replace Louis Walsh as a judge on "The X Factor".

The former Take That star has reportedly been in secret negotiations to join the talent show for weeks, with ITV show bosses confident he'll fully commit to the role "very soon", according to British newspaper the Daily Mirror.

The news comes after Louis announced he was quitting "The X Factor" in a surprise statement on Friday, June 08.

"I've had a fantastic 13 years on 'The X Factor' but the show needs a change and I'm ready to leave," the Irishman said. "I'm looking forward to another series of 'Ireland's Got Talent', going back to my day job as a manager, writing my memoirs and seeing the world."

Robbie, 44, has been a regular guest on the talent show, appearing at the judges houses stage alongside Sharon Osbourne in 2013 and 2016 and former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow in 2011.

A source told the the newspaper that the father-of-two is favourite to replace Louis, and show bosses "feel he will bring a lot to the show."

Back in 2016, Robbie admitted he had ben approached to star on the judging panel, but turned it down as he was worried he would get bored.

"I enjoy those judges houses days, they are good fun. I am a frustrated judge and frustrated TV personality and for six hours of those days I get to be one," he said at the time. "They have asked me to be a judge and they do but even if I am frustrated, I don't want to do it for 16 weeks or whatever."

Robbie was spotted sneaking off backstage to talk with "X Factor" boss and head judge Simon Cowell during one of the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent last week (ends June 03).

Louis, who managed Irish boybands Westlife and Boyzone, served as a judge on the talent show between 2004 and 2014, then returned in 2016.