X Factor judge Louis Walsh says his upcoming visit to the Island will be “a trip of a lifetime”.

The music manager and regular panellist on the long-running TV talent programme, arrives in Bermuda on Wednesday with six pop groups who will audition for the competition’s grand final.

According to one UK newspaper, Mr Walsh will be assisted by former N-Dubz singer Tulisa.

During their three-day stay Mr Walsh will mentor his six charges at his Bermuda ‘home’ before discarding half of them.

The surviving three bands will then go on to compete in the finals in London against artists in three other categories — male solo, female solo, and over 25 — selected by the show’s three other judges, music mogul Simon Cowell, singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and former Spice Girl Mel B.

Although the Judge’s House section of the competition is regularly filmed in exotic locations, Mr Walsh has normally remained in his native Ireland for the nail-biting penultimate round of the show.

But today he claimed he had been given “by far the best destination” of the four judges.

Mr Cowell will hold his mentoring sessions in the US, while Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will be based in the south of France and Mel has opted for Mexico.

“Not only have I got the strongest category this year but by far the best destination — Bermuda has been on my to do list for quite some time so this is a trip of a lifetime,” Mr Walsh said in a statement.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority and Fairmont Hotels have provided financial and logistical support for Mr Walsh’s visit, and the segment will feature “iconic Bermudian locations including the Fairmont hotels as a backdrop to the popular show”.

The BTA declined to reveal details of how much it was spending to host the show, but Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Victoria Isley said the cost was “a very small fraction of what it would cost to purchase this type and amount of TV time in the UK market”.

BTA CEO Bill Hanbury, said: “Hosting The X Factor Judges Houses is a fantastic platform to introduce a new generation to Bermuda.

“Bermuda will match the excitement of the show with the Island’s energy and inspiring locations. The X Factor broadcast will showcase Bermuda to nearly ten million viewers in the UK, our top European feeder market.

“This is one of the many initiatives BTA has in place for Bermuda to reach its tourism goals.”

Former X Factor contestants include boy band One Direction and Leona Lewis, who together have sold more than 150 million records to date.

The show will broadcast in the UK from September to December.