The X Factor

Reports suggest that the producers told her to either quit or be axed. They gave her the opportunity to quit of her own accord (to avoid further humiliation I suspect) and she took it.

Digital Spy now says it's Simon Cowell who made the final decision to rid of Emily.

Rather a shocker with Hope and Futureproof in the showdown tonight.

I'd have preferred Futureproof to stay for shallow reasons but nevermind

Don't be so naive. Who do you think told her she was "quitting"? The statements will have been drafted by X Factor producers to absolve them of responsibility and show contrition on her part.

Not that it couldn't have happened to an older contestant, but I hope it makes them reconsider the decision to lower the age range.


Although Emily is old enough to know what she did was wrong and face the direct consequences of her actions, something like this could turn very nasty in the media and it's not something someone who is legally a minor should really have to deal with just for the sake of a TV show.

Bit of a strange result tonight, but tough one to call because I think they all upped their game a bit.

Thought that Andy should have been in the bottom two, find his performances a bit lifeless.

I usually agree with Simon but he made some odd comments tonight, particularly about Nikki, was he trying to level off the playing field ?

Maybe I'm thinking of a different cell-phone-involving prank.

X Factor producers "absolving themselves of responsibility". Shouldn't be surprised really. They might have gained more respect by telling it like it was in this instance.

It might also have helped if Sharon Osbourne or even Simon Cowell went before the cameras to deliver a Heggessey-esque "explanation" of why Emily has gone, to make it clear to other young hopefuls "if that's what you do, you are not welcome here". Given how many young people look up to the show and aspire to be the next big thing, that could have been an effective weapon in the fight against happy-slapping (if ever a phrase was less apt).

^ When are you two going to stop bickering and have sex?

Dermot's explanation at the top of the show was fine. It didn't warrant a condescending "Heggesey-esque" sermon.

Her absence has been explained, we move on.

I think you're getting mixed up with "turkey slapping"

I just think it would have done more to address the problem of "happy slapping" coming from someone teens look up to, and rightly or wrongly Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne are just that.