The X Factor news round-up
21 Oct 08
Which of the stories hitting the headlines are true?
"X Factor fatwa"
The Sun reported that controversial radical religious figure Omar Bakri had made inflammatory comments about The X Factor's involvement in the Help For Heroes and Poppy Day campaigns.
Because the language used in the comments was considered to be potentially serious, the paper reported that security on next week's X Factor, where the competitors will sing their charity track Hero for the first time, will be much tighter than usual.
Programme chiefs are said to be working with anti-terror police to ensure the safety of everyone at the studios, with a uniformed police presence and airport-style security in place.
It's True. The X Factor won't take any chances with the contestants' safety and security will therefore be stepped up. However, this is purely a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat to the show.
Laura almost walked out over pressure
The Sunday Mirror claimed that X Factor contestant Laura White had threatened to leave the show because she couldn't cope with being the bookmakers' favourite to win the show.
The Lancashire lass is said to have had a meltdown before last week's show, and had to be talked into going on stage at all!
That's false. Laura loves being on stage and despite a serious attack of nerves, she would never give up on her dream. She told us exclusively, "I would never choose to leave the show on purpose".
"I am a bit homesick and I miss my family and all the people up north. But I am here for a reason - because I all I ever wanted to do is sing and The X Factor has given me a brilliant opportunity to get ahead and do that".
Scott and Austin fight over a suit
The Mirror ran an interesting story, saying Austin and Scott were at loggerheads following a bust up over a suit backstage during rehearsals. According to the paper, "war has broken out" and "they were like a pair of girls fighting over a pair of heels". Ooh, handbags at dawn, ladies!
That's not true either! We were down at the house yesterday and Austin and Scott were chatting to each other with no sign of grumpiness. What's more, Scott told us "We did have a misunderstanding at bootcamp, because I thought he was saying bad things about a friend of mine, but I got that wrong and apologised".
"Everything has been fine ever since and we definitely didn't have a fight over a suit. Did you see the show on Saturday? Neither of up even wore a suit! We get along fine, Austin is a good laugh. All that stuff about the researchers having to hold us apart? Absolute rubbish!"
Dannii and Simon fight during ad breaks
Phew! The Mirror has been busy this week! The paper reported that Simon and Dannii clashed during the ad breaks in Saturday night's show.
The paper alleged that Dannii was furious at Simon, feeling he was singling her acts out for over-zealous criticism.
Dannii is then said to have asked Simon, "What's your problem?"
With Simon muttering back, "Don't you ever show me up like that again"!
Eow! Nothing to see here! We know all of the judges are very much behind their acts, and we reckon a bit of scuffle is par for the course. Unfortunately though, we can't say whether or not those actual words were uttered, cos we haven't got Batman-strength ears. You'll have to guess the details for yourself!