Lou: Bruce's too old to be alive

War of words ... Louis Walsh and Bruce Forsyth

LOUIS Walsh has hit his telly rival Bruce Forsyth below the belt - by saying he's too old to be ALIVE.

The bitchy X Factor judge slammed the 82-year-old Strictly host after Brucie branded the ITV1 show "embarrassing".

In an astonishing retaliation, Louis, 57, declared it was time that the telly legend retired, telling a newspaper: "He doesn't know anything about young people or modern entertainment. His time is finished."

He then took it even further, adding: "Brucie is too old. He's from a different era.

"He shouldn't even be alive at his age."

It's not the first time the Irishman has lashed out at Brucie.

Last year he said the Strictly host should have kept quiet about Anton Du Beke's race row, which saw him refer to partner Laila Rouass as a "Paki".

Bruce had spoken out in the professional dancer's defence, saying people should not have taken the "slip-up" so seriously.

He later had to release a statement to clarify that he did not condone the use of racist language.