The X Factor has generated hundreds of headlines over the years and not always for the best reasons.
With judges being sacked, to hopeful contestants facing deportation, Simon Cowell’s brainchild has had its fair share of ups and downs.
With falling viewing figures, It was announced that the show would be taking a break from TV screens this year.
In a bid to increase the franchise’s popularity, Simon Cowell opted to launch two new editions in 2019, The X Factor: Celebrity and The X Factor: The Band both of which received mixed reviews.
With the future of X Factor seemingly an uncertain one, Daily Star Online has taken a look back at some of the talent show’s most scandalous moments.
(Image: Ken McKay)
Sharon Osbourne v Dannii Minogue
Mrs O was no stranger to controversy, during her various stints on The X Factor – whether it was throwing water over Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell, to that famous feud with Dannii Minogue.
Dannii joined the show in 2007 following a stint on Australia’s Got Talent but despite getting off to a good start, a feud between her and Sharon soon ignited.
Opening up in her autobiography, Dannii Minogue: My Story in 2010, Dannii claimed that Sharon reduced her to tears moments before going out on stage.
Dannii said: “Sharon was looming over me screaming and swearing… five minutes later she was holding my hand on stage.” This was reportedly prompted by claims Dannii had been leaking stories to the press.
However, Sharon added further fuel to the fire when she appeared on The Graham Norton Show. She claimed that Dannii was only hired because of her looks and Simon Cowell allegedly wanting to bed her.
Gamu Nhengu
(Image: PA)
2010 saw Gamu make it through to Cheryl’s judge’s house’s stage, but her X Factor dream was sadly cut short and she was sent home, causing an uproar when she missed out on a place on the live shows.
However, Gamu couldn’t return as a wildcard due to immigration issues.
Her mum’s visa renewal was turned down in August 2010.
Gamu’s family (originally from Zimbabwe) were later refused leave to remain in February 2011 by the Home Office.
Frankie Cocozza
(Image: Getty)
Brighton lad Frankie hit headlines the night of his first audition after he got his bum out for Tulisa, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow – revealing he had the names of seven girls he’d slept with inked on his cheeks.
Despite being a fan favourite and getting through to the live shows, his time on the competition was short-lived and he was given the boot, later replaced by Amelia Lilly.
Reports circulated that Frankie was abusing cocaine while appearing on the show despite him insisting that “there was no proof” and claiming bosses on the show had said they wouldn’t release his reason for departure.
His mentor, Gary Barlow said that he was “hugely disappointed” at the news.
Cheryl getting the axe
(Image: WireImage)
Pop Princess Cheryl Tweedy was excited at the prospect of breaking the American music industry when she was given the chance to judge on the US version of The X Factor.
However, her dreams were dashed by her pal Simon Cowell, whom Cheryl claimed “didn’t even have the guts to phone or send a message warning,” the Fight For This Love songstress.
She was sacked mid-auditions, with reports suggesting that the American audience couldn’t understand her accent.
In her second autobiography, Cheryl: My Story, the mum-of-one revealed the explicit text she sent to Simon.
Chezza exclaimed: “F*** you. F*** Britain’s Got Talent. F*** the orange and purple outfit. F*** big hair. F*** the UK X Factor. F*** you all.”
But her beef with Cowell was soon put to bed when she returned to The X Factor UK after vowing not to appear on the show again.
Naked snap scandal
(Image: Jake Sims/Instagram)
Bristolian rebel Jake Sims hit the headlines in 2014 while appearing on the show with eight-piece band Stereo Kicks.
Despite being under 18, Jake made the decision to tweet a naked picture in 2012.
Posing in front of his bedroom mirror with his phone, Jake shared the now-deleted snap alongside the caption: “Here’s my nude, lol. Yolo x x ((sorry if you see this mum)).”
After appearing on the show, social media users asked Jake to follow their accounts, claiming they would recirculate the snap if he didn’t.
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But speaking to Daily Star at the time, Jake said: “I learnt that that naked picture got me a lot of attention,” he said.
“When I was on X-Factor walking backstage people were looking at me differently and they were impressed.”
However, he went on to become a tabloid regular following his stint on the show and after being sent home snaps emerged of him after him allegedly taking ketamine.
Despite the snap being taken 18 months before his time on the show, the resurfaced picture made its way into the tabloids, and showed the inked-up musician lying on a hotel room floor with his eyes rolled to the back of his head.
At the time, sources claimed to The Sun that he could barely breathe or talk after taking the Class A drug.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
