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Inside Louis Walsh's impressive car collection including £75k Maserati

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The music mogul admits he
The music mogul admits he 'loves' cars

LOUIS Walsh might not be much of a petrolhead but he does love cars and drives a flash Maserati.

The Irish TV star and music mogul, 71, is thought to have a net worth of £116million, so could afford pretty much any car he wanted.

Louis Walsh got a no parking sticker, which wasn't a fine, slapped on his flash Maserati after parking on double yellow lines in 2008 eiqrqirkitzprw
Louis Walsh got a no parking sticker, which wasn't a fine, slapped on his flash Maserati after parking on double yellow lines in 2008Credit: Big Pictures
A new Maserati Gran Turismo would set you back at least £131,000 nowadays
A new Maserati Gran Turismo would set you back at least £131,000 nowadaysCredit: Big Pictures

He has been spotted behind the wheel of  a sleek Maserati Gran Turismo which was worth a cool £75,000 back in 2008.

To get your hands on a new one nowadays, you’d have to fork out somewhere between £131,000 and £162,000 depending on which version you plumped for.

For your money you do get 542bhp, a top speed of 199mph and the ability to go from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Selfish drivers mount pavement outside family homes putting pedestrians at riskSelfish drivers mount pavement outside family homes putting pedestrians at risk

In December 2008, the man behind pop bands Westlife, Boyzone and Jedward, returned to his sports car to find it had been slapped with a no parking sticker after he’d parked the car on double yellow lines in Dublin.

Having avoided getting an actual ticket, Walsh simply peeled off the sticker and drove off.

The former X Factor judge also appeared on the BBC's popular motoring show Top Gear in August 2011 in the Star in a Reasonably Price Car part.

Presenting the section, Nick Dalton revealed that Walsh “doesn’t drive a huge amount”.

Walsh freely admitted he wasn’t the best driver but said he was having lots of fun, all the same.

He told the motoring show: “I’m not doing good but… I’m fine. I never wanted to be a racing driver but it’s fun and the more I do the more I like it.”

Walsh added: “It’s just control and confidence and trying to relax. It’s very hard to relax.

“I’m doing my best,” saying while laughing: “I haven’t been on the grass much.”

Also appearing in the section was presenter Andy Wilman who said: "He's a bit worried about his driving... but he's got really nice cars.

"He sort of what you'd do if you didn't like driving that much but you had a lot of money, which Louis has got.

Top ten reasons learners fail their driving test revealed by the DVSATop ten reasons learners fail their driving test revealed by the DVSA

Walsh said: “I’m not going to be a racing driver, y’know. But it’s fine, I’m having fun."

He admitted he didn’t listen to the bands he manages while driving but did put on the Rolling Stones which he considers to be “great driving music” but revealed he didn’t drive fast anyway.

Walsh said: “I just can’t concentrate and I cannot focus and you have to be able to do that to be a really good racing driver – but it’s fun… it’s a day out.

“I love cars but I don’t drive fast. Love cars… love, love, love them.”

Despite saying he didn’t drive fast, Walsh got round the track behind the wheel of a Kia Ceed in 1.47.7, some way behind the leader Matt LeBlanc who dashed round in a time of 1.42.1.

LeBlanc was just a fraction faster than Rowan Atkinson who went round in 1.42.2.

Walsh was far from being the slowest though with Damian Lewis going round in 2.09.1 although his time was hampered by snow.

Walsh has also been seen getting out of a number of other flash motors, although it is not clear if actually owns them.

These include a BMW 7 series, Lincoln Navigator and a Mercedes-Benz S Class.

Walsh, having spent years judging others on TV shows, will have the tables turned on him as he is due to appear on the upcoming series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Louis, a panellist on ITV’s The X Factor from 2004 till 2014 then 2016 to 2017, is said to have landed himself a bumper six-figure deal to enter the CBB house when the show is rebooted on ITV1 later this month.

Walsh might also own a flash Mercedes-Benz S Class
Walsh might also own a flash Mercedes-Benz S ClassCredit: PA:Press Association
When Walsh appeared on Top Gear he admitted he wasn't a racing driver but was having lots of fun
When Walsh appeared on Top Gear he admitted he wasn't a racing driver but was having lots of funCredit: BBC
Walsh admits that while he loves cars he doesn't drive fast
Walsh admits that while he loves cars he doesn't drive fastCredit: BBC
Credit: Getty
The music mogul could also have a BMW 7 Series in his fleet of cars
The music mogul could also have a BMW 7 Series in his fleet of carsCredit: Getty

Jon Rogers

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