X Factor’s Simon Cowell slams Will Young for being ‘too serious’ during Strictly Come Dancing stint
The music mogul feels that the star would've benefitted by allowing himself to relax on the show
SIMON COWELL and WILL YOUNG have been feuding for more than a decade after telly’s Mr Nasty called Will’s performance on the first Pop Idol contest “distinctly average”.
In return Will dubbed Simon a “bully” and “greedy” after the mogul gave his Pop Idol rival GARETH GATES, a record deal.
But it seems as though Simon won’t be burying the hatchet with the 2002 competition winner any time soon.
The X Factor boss lashed out at Will for taking himself too seriously on Strictly Come Dancing after the pop star quit the series in October.
Instead, Simon championed former shadow chancellor ED BALLS.
He said: “I have respect for Ed because anyone who can poke fun at themselves means they are a fun person. He didn’t take himself too seriously, unlike Will. ”
Simon also revealed he has “no issue” with the possibility of SAARA AALTO becoming the first foreign X Factor winner after I told yesterday how the Finn had overtaken MATT TERRY as favourite to win Sunday’s final at Wembley Arena.
He said: “I don’t mind that at all. Different people from different countries have won Got Talent, it doesn’t make any difference. It shows what we are like as a show, what the audience is like, they are welcoming.”
Simon also confirmed my exclusive that LOUIS TOMLINSON will become the fifth member of ONE DIRECTION to go solo.
Speaking about my announcement, he said: “I think that was always the plan, I love Louis, he’s a great guy. He’s part of the family and we’ve become friends.
“He’s got a label with us and he’s signed an artist, so he’s like a mini me now.”
I revealed last week that Simon has decided to keep the current judges line-up of SHARON OSBOURNE, LOUIS WALSH and NICOLE SCHERZINGER beside him for next year’s 14th series of The X Factor.
And now Simon has gone further and said he would like to keep the panel together “forever” as they all get on so well.
He said: “They have been a breeze, I’ve really enjoyed working with them.
“They are fun, we go out for dinner together. When you’ve done this a number of years then of course you have your favourites, it’s not like it used to be.
“We enjoy each others’ company, they are very nice people. I would keep them forever. I mean, Louis may only have five years left.
“I’ve got them something for Christmas, it’s a surprise, something special.”
I reckon they’ll be hoping it’s a pay rise.
X-FACTOR'S X-OVER
Meanwhile NICOLE SCHERZINGER is capitalising on SIMON COWELL losing out at the final hurdle.
I’ve learned The X Factor judge is swiping guest star JAMES ARTHUR from her boss. Simon had lined up his act EMILY MIDDLEMAS to sing with James, but she was axed on Sunday night.
If James swaps allegiances to help out Nicole, who mentored him when he won the show in 2012, it could give her remaining hopeful, MATT TERRY, the winning edge in Saturday’s showdown.
The duo will go up against The X Factor favourite SARAA AALTO and American Idol powerhouse ADAM LAMBERT.
However, it’s LOUIS WALSH who could be set to pull off one of the best signings after eyeing up THE WEEKND to support his group, 5 AFTER MIDNIGHT.
While Simon has no acts left in the final, he hasn’t taken a break from trying to call in the favours. He has roped in Grammy-winning SAM SMITH and X Factor champs LITTLE MIX to perform.
An X Factor spokesperson declined to comment on the rumoured names, but it has been confirmed that all of this year’s finalists – including HONEY G – will return for one last group performance.
That’s reason enough to tune in.
Got a story? Email bizarre@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 0207 782 4037