Nikk: A Mager knockback
17 Aug 08
Viewers saw Simon Cowell deliver some of the harshest comments of the series so far to 24 year-old Yorkshireman Nikk Mager.
A former Popstars: The Rivals competitor and ex member of boyband Phixx, Nikk has been chasing his pop dreams for eight years. Despite currently earning a living in northern working men's clubs, Simon and Co. made it clear to Nikk that they felt he should accept that he will never fulfil his showbusiness dream.
We caught up with Nikk after the audition, when he was still reeling from an X Factor experience where Simon slated his audition and former friend Cheryl Cole walked out of the room.
He told us, "I'm smiling but it didn't go very well to be honest".
"They obviously didn't get me, which is cool. I respect their opinions. But I'm not going to give up. I want this too much.
"There is something else out there for me - there is something just around the corner.
"Everyone dreads the kind of comments Simon Cowell gives - and he told me it was my opportunity to give up.
"But Simon has said numerous things about numerous people. He said Mika would never have a chance in hell of making it, and he was the biggest selling artist in 2007.
"Gary Barlow, he said was never going to amount to anything. Look how big Take That are right now. If I put my name on that list then, yeah, it's positive. That's cool. I'll take my chances. After all, Madonna was Rejection Queen.
"You don't get anywhere if you're going to give up, do you? So yes, I'm gutted, but there is lot to look forward to. I've got a bright future ahead".