Ronan Keating admits to mistakes15/11/2010
Ronan Keating has admitted to making mistakes as a judge on TV's The X Factor but is confident he's got it right with his last remaining contestant Altiyan Childs.
The Boyzone star says he suffered sleepless nights over choice of songs after watching two of his contestants already crash out of the Seven series.
"I especially got it wrong with James McNally when he went out in the second week because Maggie May just wasn't the right song for him," Keating told AAP.
"It has kept me up at night because you have to think of everything from what clothes they're going to wear to the visuals on stage to obviously the song they perform.
"As judges we have to do all that and having the success or failure of contestants in your hands plays on your mind."
Childs is now hot favourite to win the reality show as the last four acts are cut into the final three for next week's final on Monday night.
Keating is sure the eccentric rocker has what it takes to go all the way, describing him as the most entertaining contestant throughout The X Factor's maiden season.
"I saw something in him from the first time I saw him and thought I've got to get him in the show," he said.
"He's just gold, a genius and a talented singer with so much passion.
"I'm just glad I got to convince the other three judges to let him in."
Keating dismissed claims The X Factor has been a failure - ratings dropped as low as 938,000 earlier this month - and said he would jump at the chance to be part of a repeat series.
The singer is currently trying to persuade his family to move to Australia after splitting with his wife Yvonne following his extra marital affair.
"It took three years for X Factor to really establish itself in the UK but it's now the biggest TV show in the country and with a bit of nurturing here I believe it could do the same.
"I would absolutely do it again if I can convince my family to move out here for a couple of years."