Let them all run wild! Simon Cowell risks new X Factor outcry by giving finalists licence to behave badly

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Courting controversy? Simon Cowell, pictured on location with Sinitta, wants contestants to 'do what the like'


Simon Cowell is encouraging bad behaviour from the X Factor hopefuls - despite tales of prostitution, drug-taking and wild parties blighting the show.

The music mogul said he wanted the final 12 contestants to 'be their age and do what they like' rather than 'sitting in the library until three in the morning'.

The finalists have already been picked and millions of fans will find out who they are this weekend, ahead of the first live show on October 9.


Go wild! Simon with his group category, who are said to have trashed the rented villa in Spain during their stay


As the Daily Mail revealed this week, they have been moved into a £3.5million mansion in North London, leaving the millionaire neighbours fearful of rowdy behaviour.

And the mood of the locals is unlikely to have improved after Cowell's latest comments.

He said: 'You have got to have some sort of control in there, but at the end of the day you want to have the personalities through so it's fun.

'They are entering the music business for all the right reasons, and that is not to sit in the library till three in the morning. I am just trying to encourage them this year to be their age and do what they like if they have a career as a pop star, and for everyone to be a bit more relaxed about it.'


Behind the scenes: Simon and his crew watch back footage between takes


He added: 'These kids who come here, they are young guys and they should be making noise, having fun and going out.

'And I can't tell people when they can and can't have sex.'

Cowell, 50, had angered fans of the ITV talent show by refusing to disqualify prostitute Chloe Mafia.

The singer, whose real name is Chloe Heald, made it to the boot camp auditions despite being caught selling sex and pictured allegedly taking cocaine.

This year's contestants have already proved themselves a nuisance after going on a drunken rampage at their hotel during the boot camp stage and stripping in front of guests.


Hairy moment: Simon bares his chest as he chats to host Dermot O'Leary


Cowell himself was left appalled after hopefuls ruined his luxury rented villa in Marbella, Spain, last month.

They caused thousands of pounds of damage to the property - which cost £15,000 a day to rent - as well as drinking the star's vintage champagne and imported beer.

Nevertheless, he is keen to ensure that this year's contestants are treated to an experience equal to that of working in the music industry.

He has already axed vocal coach Yvie Burnett and hired a 'glam squad' led by stylist Grace Woodward to help revamp the hopefuls.

He also admitted that he is fed up listening to 'pathetic sob stories' and watching as acts are voted through on the basis of their popularity rather than their talent.
He said: 'I banned the word journey because that was a key part of it all.

'We got too much of this "I'm doing it for my mum who broke her ankle" nonsense.
'I never bought a David Bowie album when I was 17 because Bowie was talking on Top of the Pops about going on a journey.

'I don't want this to be a popularity competition. I think it is important that it remains a talent competition.'

Meanwhile, Cowell is threatening legal action after the names of the final 12 contestants were leaked online.

He is said to be furious that the information has been posted on more than one website days before the list is revealed on the show.


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The acts must all sign confidentiality agreements regarding what happens on the show, as must anyone who works on it.

A source said: 'Simon is very, very disappointed. He is a complete perfectionist.
Everything is stage managed to within an inch of its life so this will not be looked on favourably.'

After it first appeared on the Digital Spy website a week ago, the list was seen on the Radio Times website - which was promptly forced to take it down.

This is not the first time the names have been leaked. In 2008 another website was forced to take down a similar list of finalists.


source :dailymail