sam: “Sharon and Simon will clash on The X Factor”
Singer Sam Bailey opens up to Closer about nights out with Jordan and dabbling with Botox
Her life was transformed H when she won The X Factor in 2013, not only scooping a £1m recording contract with Simon Cowell’s label and launching her hugely popular singing career, but also cementing a solid friendship with her mentor on the show, Sharon Osbourne.
And now, as notoriously feisty Sharon returns to the panel, former prison guard Sam Bailey has a few words of warning for fellow judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, who have already begun filming auditions.
Sam says: “I think there are going to be big clashes between Sharon and the judges! I’m so glad she’s back – there’ll be a lot of snide comments between her and Simon. And her and Louis are just like two naughty school kids when they’re together.
“I’m not slating last year’s judges [Cheryl, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw], but it’s nice to have people on the show who really know their craft and have been in the business for a long time. Louis and Sharon know everything about music, and Nicole is a classically trained singer. Plus she’s beautiful!”
SUPPORTIVE FRIEND
Mum-of-three Sam even bestowed the ultimate honour on her A-list pal – who appears to have reconciled with husband Ozzy after splitting in May amid claims he’d had an affair – when she made Sharon godmother to her 22-month-old daughter, Miley.
Sam, who’s also mum to Brooke, 10, and Tommy, six, with husband Craig, says: “I still send her pictures of Miley and, if I read something about her personal life in the papers, I’ll send her a text. I never ask whether the stories are true, I’ll just send her a note of support.”
Sam, 39, who recently sang at footballer Jamie Vardy’s star-studded wedding, is also good friends with Jordan – real name Katie Price – and says she can see her and Peter Andre’s son Junior, 11, being a big star.
“Katie’s an incredible woman,” she says. “I was a guest at her wedding [to Kieran Hayler] and she was wearing the most ridiculously high pair of Louboutin heels. I ended up getting my UGGS from my car and she got hers, and we danced the night away in our fancy dresses and comfy boots.
“Junior sang at the wedding and he blew me away. He’s going to follow in his dad’s footsteps; he’s got such a talent for music.”
But one thing Sam won’t be copying is Jordan’s addiction to going under the knife, after the Loose Women panellist recently had her eleventh boob job.
Sam says: “I think Katie looks fantastic. I’m starting to consider getting Botox – I was always adamant that I wouldn’t do anything else after I got my teeth fixed, but I’ve got so many lines on my face. Although I’m scared I’ll be on national TV and not be able to move my face! But a boob job? No way!”