Ananova:

Louis Walsh will not appear on this Saturday's X Factor show.

The judge will be in Dublin for Stephen Gately's funeral where he has refused to speak in case he collapses with grief.

The X Factor judge was left heartbroken when his "very best friend" died in Majorca on Saturday.

The Boyzone star's family asked Walsh to pay tribute to Gately at the service but the 57-year-old reluctantly turned down the offer.

He says, "They asked me to get involved but I couldn't stand up. I'd break down. The emotions and nerves would be worse than any X Factor show.

"I don't like real life - that's why I love the pop business, it's not real. The funeral will hit me hard because it still hasn't sunk in that he's gone. I'm dazed.

"It will be an awful, dreadful day. It will be so draining for everyone. But it will be a celebration of his life. If he's looking down on us from heaven, he's going to love it and be so proud. He gave the world so much joy, so it's only right that's how we remember him."

Louis has not confirmed if he'll appear on Sunday night's result show.