Axed X Factor singer: 'I'm not mentally ill'

Axed X Factor singer: 'I'm not mentally ill'
Axed X Factor singer: 'I'm not mentally ill' (Image credit: Ken McKay)

Axed X Factor contestant Shirlena Johnson has reportedy hit out at the decision to drop her from the programme amid concerns over her mental health. On Tuesday, TV bosses confirmed she would not continue on The X Factor in the interests of her welfare. But speaking to the Daily Star, the singing hopeful insisted she was 'not mentally ill' and that being kicked off the X Factor was 'a complete catastrophe'. The wannabe pop star caused a stir during her first appearance on the hit ITV1 talent show on Saturday evening with an eccentric rendition of the Duffy track Mercy. But following the performance, concerns over the contestant's health were raised. A spokesman for The X Factor said: "The welfare of contestants is of paramount importance, and for this reason, it has been agreed that Shirlena Johnson should not continue in the competition." But the hopeful hit back at the decision. She told the Daily Star: "This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me." In addition to being axed from The X Factor, Johnson was also given the chop from this year's Miss Great Britain contest, which she also entered. She allegedly told organisers that she was 28, below the cut-off point of 29. But on The X Factor she said she was 30. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Shirlena's mother also criticised the treatment of her daughter by X Factor bosses. Carmen Stanley, 53, said: "I think it's appalling the way she has been treated - building up her hopes only to crush them again."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 

An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.