Police called as X Factor hopefuls run riot

Police called as X Factor hopefuls run riot
Police called as X Factor hopefuls run riot (Image credit: Ken McKay)

A group of X Factor boot camp hopefuls have landed in trouble after running riot in their hotel, according to the News Of The World. The paper reports that police were called to the Premier Inn in Wembley o Thursday night after around 20 contestants went on a drunken binge, resulting in them damaging property and upsetting other guests. Hotel staff are said to have called in the cops, who evicted the troublemakers. "They were like wild animals," said a source at the hotel. "The police arrived in full riot gear because things were so extreme. It's hard to believe these people are serious about becoming the next Leona Lewis or Alexandra Burke." A guest added, "They kept the entire hotel awake and scared us. Some of them were dancing around naked in the car park. If they are the stars of tomorrow then I am disgusted." X Factor chiefs have reportedly agreed to pay damages for a smashed door, signs and pictures in the hotel. And producers are deciding if the contestants in question - who have now returned home for a month before the judges' houses stage - should be allowed to remain in the programme. "Simon Cowell is not happy," an insider said. "Contestants had an opportunity to relax after a week of intense rehearsal and performance," a spokesman told the paper. We've spoken to the individuals concerned, who have apologised."

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.