Gary Barlow upset by Olly Murs' X Factor remarks

Gary Barlow upset by Olly Murs' X Factor remarks
Gary Barlow upset by Olly Murs' X Factor remarks (Image credit: PA)

X Factor newcomer Gary Barlow is reported to be "seething" after Olly Murs' remarks that Simon Cowell was a better judge than him. According to the Mirror the Take That singer has accused Olly - who was mentored by Cowell and was runner-up to Joe McElderry in 2009 of a "total lack of respect". "Anyone would feel that some glorified karaoke singer passing judgment on his pedigree is disrespectful," an insider told the paper. "Gary has every right to be upset. Olly is well out of order." The 27-year-old made his comments after being asked which judge he thought was better. Citing Simon's years behind the scenes in the music industry, he said, "I would probably go for Simon. I have to go for experience...just experience." "Just the fact he’s been there, done it. He’s almost like a football player that’s retired, you know what I mean? You have to say he’s a bit of a legend, isn’t he?" The source said it was "ridiculous" to try and compare the two. "It's no wonder Gary feels angry," the insider added. "Especially when you look at the fact that he has only been on screen for one week, and he was no doubt the star of the first show." And the feud could lead to drama when it comes to The Xtra Factor on ITV2, which Olly is co-presenting along with Caroline Flack. "When Gary and Olly properly come face to face again during the judges’ houses stage, there will doubtless be fireworks," the insider pointed out. "Imagine if Gary started passing judgment on previous Xtra Factor presenters and whether they were better than Olly or not. It would be mortifying. "So how Olly thinks he can get away with saying such things is beyond people on the set – Gary is a bona fide star who’s sold millions of records." However a source close to Olly told the Mirror that he was a fan of Gary. "Olly thinks Gary is a fantastic judge and has said so repeatedly in the past. He only said what he did because he was put on the spot."

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.