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TV NEWS AND GOSSIP
AWOL Simon under fire
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X Factor head honcho Simon Cowell has come under fire for failing to speak to any of his finalists for almost a month. Instead, he’s been over in LA promoting American Idol, and only keeps in touch with show hopefuls Scott Bruton, Austin Drage and Eoghan Quigg through his PA.
A show insider said: “He’s not exactly been hands-on. Simon is busy but he could have called to make them feel special.”
In contrast, new judge Cheryl Cole has apparently had her finalists over for a slap-up meal and spends hours on the phone with them. “She even texted me at 2am last night to see how my hair was doing!” cooed Alexandra Burke.
In other X Factor news, Rachel Hylton has blasted tabloid claims that she was caught smoking cannabis at Boot Camp. The ex-addict says she has been open and honest about her troubled past with the judges, and insists she is a reformed character.
“I don’t smoke drugs anymore,” she says. “A lot of people are putting lies out about me doing drugs and bullying people on the show. They’re not true. I wish they would give me a second chance.”
Rachel suspects underhand tactics could be at work and her rivals may be attempting to take advantage of her notoriously fiery personality. “People are trying to provoke a reaction,” she says. “They’ll be waiting a long time.” We give it two weeks.
by Stewart Turner, Wednesday 8 October 2008
Sources: Daily Mirror, The Sun
