Simon Cowell has been accused of 'game playing' after being particularly critical of X Factor favourite Matt Terry during the semi-finals. The music mogul described Terry's performance as 'predictable' and compared it to 'having a sandwich without the butter', prompting boos from the audience.
Terry's mentor Nicole Scherzinger defended him, calling his rendition a 'classic Christmas song'. Viewers took to Twitter to criticise Cowell, with one fan writing: 'I don't think Simon is hearing what we're saying. MATT SOUNDS THE BEST TONIGHT.' Another added: 'Simon saying Matt is bland yet Emily sung 2 slow songs this week.'
Reports suggest that X Factor bosses are desperate for Terry, 23, to win the competition, as he and boyband 5 After Midnight are seen as more marketable than other semi-finalists Saara Aalto and Emily Middlemas. Commercial success is particularly important given the show's rivalry with The Voice, which ITV has acquired from the BBC.
