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And Finally Media
Tulisa faces Axe-factor, says Sun
By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 22 February 2013
Tulisa is to be axed from the next series of ‘X-Factor’ on the order of X chief Simon Cowell, but she doesn’t know it yet. Well, she probably does now, given the revelation is splashed on the front page of today’s Sun. Though whether this latest X-judging-panel-reshuffle gossip is any more reliable than with previous bouts of X-judging-panel-reshuffle gossip we know not.
Although still one of the biggest shows on TV, recent series of ‘X-Factor’ have, of course, seen ratings slip a bit, and as is customary when talent shows see ratings slip a bit, the judging panel is seemingly being blamed by show bosses. ITV chiefs, the Sun says, want to axe both one-time N-Dubber Tulisa Contostavlos and ‘X-Factor’ stalwart Louis Walsh.
Contostavlos is to go, the tab claims, because her performance on the last series of the show was somewhat lacklustre, she seemingly have lost the feistiness that worked on her first stint on the ‘X’ panel. The disappointing performance of the singer’s own debut album last year is also being cited, with one of those trusty sources saying: “Quite apart from her performance on last year’s show, you can’t have a singer whose album only reached number 35 in the charts sitting in judgment on other singers”.
Walsh is possibly on ITV’s axe list out of simple boredom, he having been part of the show since its launch in 2004. Though according to The Sun, while Cowell has accepted Tulisa must go, he’s fighting to keep Walsh in the mix, possibly remembering that a previous attempt to push the long-term X judge off the show backfired. Or possibly because it’s good to have at least one person with some behind-the-scenes artist management knowledge on the panel, even if big name pop stars judging is better for the ratings. Either way, says the tab, Cowell’s battle to save Walsh’s spot on the series is ongoing.
The unconfirmed reports of Tulisa exiting have, of course, heightened speculation about who might be recruited to replace her. The return of Sharon Osbourne to the programme has been mentioned by some, while a plethora of pop acts are also now being touted as possible ‘X’ judges, though seemingly mainly based on who Cowell was seen talking to at a BRITs after-show party on Wednesday night. And on that basis, my money’s on the bloke who was spraying cologne for tips in the toilets.
