Simon orders X Factor girls to 'toughen up'

Simon orders X Factor girls to 'toughen up'
Simon orders X Factor girls to 'toughen up' (Image credit: TALKBACK THAMES TV)

Simon Cowell has ordered fellow X Factor judges Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole to "get tough" with their contestants, according to the papers. The News Of The World reports that the mogul has told them that their main focus on the show should be the acts - and that they need to be more critical of them where necessary. And that could mean there is less focus on other aspects of the show - such as what the pair are wearing during the live shows. "Simon felt that last year Cheryl and Dannii went too easy on their own acts," an insider told the paper. "He believes they are nervous to say what they really think in case fans think they are being too mean. They hate being booed but Simon reckons they need to grow thicker skins. "The music industry is unforgiving and he wants the panel to reflect that this year - even if that's brutal," the source added. "Simon's advice is if people don't like what they say, it's tough." The new series begins on ITV1 on August 21, when viewers will get to see the guest judges who stood in for new mum Dannii at the auditions. Pixie Lott, Nicole Scherzinger, Natalie Imbruglia and Katy Perry were among those who took over from Dannii, who will return for the judges' houses stage.

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.