The X Factor was embroiled in a fresh controversy last night as Louis Walsh, given the deciding vote in a sing-off between bottom two Carolynne Poole and Rylan Clark, opted to go to âDead Lockâ, effectively gifting the decision to ironic-vote-magnet Clark.
The decision prompted head judge Barlow to storm off, apparently screaming âthis is a fucking jokeâ?, in a rage of heavily-choreographed artistic integrity.
To add to the intrigue, audience members at the live recordings have reported that producers rushed on stage to whisper in Louisâ ear during Carolynneâs bland but passable rendition of Faith Hillâs âThere Youâll Beâ. This only fuelled suspicions that the whole controversy was manufactured to arrest the ratings slide which has seen the show lose out to rival âStrictlyâ by 300,000 viewers.
Walsh initially seemed to choose Carolynne, before presumably remembering his instructions and shouting âI want to take it to deadlockâ?, just as the former âFame Academyâ contestant had begun to celebrate, but Poole took the decision graciously, tweeting âSorry for letting u all down xâ?.
Below you can watch Louis’ conversation with the producer, which has been defended by show bosses who say “Producers always chat to judges during the show”, and make up your own mind.
