Nicole fury at final snub
Fuming star rows with Cowell over duet with Kevin
NICOLE Scherzinger had an angry showdown with X Factor boss Simon Cowell after she was banned from performing on last night’s final.
The Pussycat Doll singer thought she would join her act Kevin Davy White on stage for a duet – as she did with her other finalists.
But Cowell insisted that Kevin would be joined by Britain’s Got Talent winner Tokio Myers, who is signed to Simon’s Syco record label.
Insiders say the decision left Nicole, 39, seething – and relations between her and Simon remain frosty.
It could also throw her X Factor future into doubt.
She is the only judge not to sign a contract for next year yet, which could pave the way for former judge Cheryl Tweedy’s return.
Signs that Nicole and Simon’s relationship is on the rocks could be seen on last week’s show.
Cowell appeared to take the mickey out of Nicole’s singing abilities when she said she was a vocalist like contestant Lloyd Macey.
Gutted
Simon started coughing and fellow judge Louis Walsh couldn’t stop laughing and also started coughing.
Now Simon’s duet ban has upset Nicole even more.
The X Factor judge, who put her anger behind her when she attended the Brilliant Is Beautiful women’s charity gala in London on Friday, told a colleague: “This is the first time I’ve ever had a contestant and I’ve not performed with them.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m gutted. But X Factor didn’t ask me to.” Previous finalists Nicole has performed with include her first – James Arthur, 29, in 2012 – right up to last year’s winner Matt Terry, 24.
But this year Nicole was denied the opportunity to sing with her act, French performer Kevin, 29.
Shock
Pianist Tokio, 33, performed with Kevin on last night’s show. A source said: “Nicole couldn’t believe it when she was told Kevin would perform with Tokio. There was no discussion about it so it came as a huge shock. “She went to speak to Simon about it but he had already made his decision and there was no changing it. Nicole was fuming.” Ahead of this weekend’s final, Nicole spoke of her disappointment. She said: “I would have loved to have shared the stage with him.” Kevin said: “It would have been a really big dream. I’m sad it’s not happening. I respect her talent.” Nicole says Kevin will take the music world by storm with an album and tour. She added: “I can’t express how grateful I am for Kevin. “We’re like brother and sister. I’ve cried at so many of his songs.” Asked if she would be back on the X Factor, she added: “I would love to come back next year but ultimately I’m not the one writing the cheques.”