COWELL STICKS BOOT IN
X-Factor boss lays into contestants
HE HAS been a more gentle judge since the birth of his son Eric in 2014.
But Simon Cowell turned into Mr Nasty again at the Boot Camp stage of The X Factor in London this weekend.
One audience member said he has gone back to basics and was more like his old self as he searched for singing talent.
He hit out regularly at contestants on both Friday and Saturday – including telling one five-piece band to ditch two of their members.
Speaking at Wembley SSE, his put-downs included: “It was like eating water, goodbye.”
He told another hopeful: “We’re in danger of losing the entire audience if you sing again.”
And he said to a third singer: “You’ve let yourself down. It looks like you don’t care and you didn’t come here to win.”
Another band who performed an energetic routine also failed to be a hit with Cowell and the other judges.
Cowell said: “Can we hear something without the stupid choreography?” A show source said Simon felt the need to make sure only the best singers reach the final stages.
The insider said: “He has never lost his focus but Simon has definitely been more relaxed in recent years.
“But when things went wrong this weekend the old acid-tongue and killer putdowns were back.
“He is very excited about the talent on the show this year but he is a perfectionist at heart and wants to make sure the right people go through so he didn’t hold back.”
In April, Amanda Holden claimed Cowell had softened on Britain’s Got Talent.
She said: “It’s really unnerved me. He’s being really nice. I don’t like it.”