Louis Walsh will hire a security team to accompany and protect him in public from now on.
For more than two years, the 58-year-old X Factor judge has resisted calls from family and friends for a bodyguard.
But in light of this week’s allegations that he groped a 24-year-old single father in April, Louis has relented.
The Westlife and Jedward manager arrived back in Ireland on Thursday night to face claims that he had groped the man in the toilets of Krystle nightclub on Harcourt Street, Dublin, on April 10 after a Westlife concert in the city earlier this year.
He was met at the airport by a very good friend who accompanied him back to town.
On Friday, the Mayo music guru spent the entire day at the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge, where he was interviewed under caution by detectives from Pearse Street Garda station.
He is said to have found the Garda interview draining and exhausting even though he had nothing to hide and will be exonerated.
A source said: ‘It absolutely really drained him but it had to be done.’
The claims are said to have knocked the pop svengali for six. The close friend and confidant said: ‘He looked like a ghost. He genuinely looked like his whole family had been wiped out.
Showbiz: Louis Walsh with Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue
Showbiz: Louis Walsh with Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue
The venue: The alleged assault is said to have taken place inside Krystle nightclub, inside Dublin's Russell Court Hotel
The venue: The alleged assault is said to have taken place at the Krystle nightclub, inside Dublin's Russell Court Hotel
Famous: The nightclub is one of the most popular and exclusive in Dublin
Famous: The nightclub is one of the most popular and exclusive in Dublin
‘The situation makes his stomach feel sick. When he said he felt suicidal, I don’t think he was far off.
‘He still can’t talk about it without crying. He is absolutely heartbroken and will have to change his life.
‘He has been far too accessible for too long and this has got to change. He doesn’t use VIP entrances anywhere; he goes into clubs the same way as everyone else. He doesn’t consider himself a celebrity at all.
‘Louis is like the Pied Piper. He takes time to speak to everyone who wants to talk. He is very generous with his time and will stop to pose for photos, sign autographs and even listen to people’s opinions. He just doesn’t say no to anyone.’
Determined to clear his name, Louis has hired top celebrity lawyer Paul Tweed, whose clients have included Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Colin Farrell.
Back to work: Louis Walsh arrives at the London Studios for X Factor on Friday
Back to work: Louis Walsh arrives at the London Studios for X Factor on Friday
Last night, Walsh said: ‘It didn’t happen so there is no case to answer and I am extremely angry that someone is trying to tarnish my name. My phone has not stopped ringing with messages of support from around the world, which means so much to me.’
According to those who know him best, Louis intends to make his return to celeb haunt Krystle, run by his friends Conor Buckley and Brian O’Malley – when the time is right.
‘He loves the club and has great respect for Conor and Brian. He has nothing to hide but it will be a while before he is back again,’ said our source.
Louis will remain in Ireland until Tuesday evening, when he is due in Cardiff for X Factor auditions the following day.
From Cardiff, Louis and his X Factor colleagues, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland, will make their way to Liverpool.
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