ITV's X Factor judges fall out over claims of 'rigging'

by Joe Lepper,, Brand Republic 22-Oct-04, 09:00

LONDON - A war of words has broken out in the media between ITV's 'X Factor' judges Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne, ahead of tomorrow night's first public vote of the series.

The wife of rock singer Ozzy has accused pop mogul Cowell of deliberately editing the three finalists in the over-25 singer's group that he choose "to make them more appealing", according to the Daily Mirror.

The paper says Cowell, who denies the claim, has tried to clear the air, but Osbourne is refusing to take his calls and instead will meet him for the first time since the row on tomorrow night’s show.

Osbourne is quoted in the Daily Mirror as saying of Cowell, "he's a fucking wanker. I'm not going to leave because I work for ITV and not him. But he's pissed me off. He's rigged it all."

On the talent show, the thousands of entrants have been reduced to just nine, which include three selections in the 16- to 24-year-olds group from Osbourne, three singing groups picked by Westlife manager Louis Walsh and Cowell's choices.

Last week, Cowell and his former business partner Simon Fuller settled the first round in a list of legal battles over the rights to 'Pop Idol'. However, a claim by Fuller that Cowell's 'X Factor' is a copy of 'Pop Idol' has still not been resolved.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.