[Amy]

SIMON Cowell today finally admitted rival Louis Walsh won the first series of TV talent show X Factor - even though his act came first in the public vote.

Speaking at the launch of the second series of the ITV1 hit this morning, the self-confessed Mr Nasty owned up after seeing Steve Brookstein's album sales slump to just 250,000.

In contrast Louis' operatic quartet G4 - who came second - have shifted more than one million discs and had a hugely successful tour.

Simon said: "The irony is that Louis won, he sold a million. So I didn’t win last year, he did.

"Sometimes you win because you're popular. G4 came second and they sold more records".

Simon even hinted that Steve may get the push from his record label – with Louis adding "I don’t know" while vigorously nodding his head.

"I’ll have to have a very serious think about it" added Simon.

"He had a No1 album so I can’t complain but I would be lying if I said that I went on this show to sell 250,000 records.

"Without this competition there would have been no No1 album. He would still be singing in wine bars."

Simon went on to describe this year's show as a "musical version of Little Britain".

He said that while 97 per cent of entrants were a joke, the real talent this year was better than ever – and he already has three potential winners in mind.

Nearly 75,000 hopefuls entered the competition, the highest ever for a TV talent show.

Simon, Louis and fellow judge Sharon Osbourne have now whittled them down to a final 12, who are split into three categories: 16 – 24, 25s and over, and groups.

Each judge is responsible for a category – and for grooming his or her contestant for stardom.

This year’s crop, who will be seen on ITV1 from Saturday, include a dairy farmer who dresses in drag, a 16-year-old who sounds like Whitney Houston and a boy who could be the next Gareth Gates.

And there are sure to be plenty of fireworks between the judges with reports of Sharon throwing a glass of coke over Louis, and Simon wrestling with the Irish manager in the dressing room.

Louis adds: "We are all happy families today but when we go live they (Sharon and Simon) are going to fight".

Article The Sun

[ThaGazBoi]

G4 and STEVE were both rubbish, But at least G4 can sing

[Fangz]

G4 were neat! Singing Bohemian Rhapsody opera-style, lol! Brookstein was a one trick pony.

[lilmissnaughty]

G4 destroyed a great Oasis track. Lol!

Steve Brookstein is an arrogant little man, I'm sure he'll be dropped soon.

[Fangz]

Nothing Oasis has done has ever been great.Their tracks all seem to sound the same, and they go around referring to other musicians as '******s'.

[Princess]

tabby was my fav where has he gone?

[Fangz]

Tabby was fit, but not a very good singer. I liked his name, though...

[Dan_]

You can see what Tabby's upto on itv2 saturday at 8.55pm.

The talent is always poor in comparison to the ones on american idol but Will Young and Lemar have done well.

[Siouxsie]

great show tonight on tabby he is going to do really well imo

[lilmissnaughty]

Gut records won XF last year.

[Ruth]

Steve Brookstein was rubbish - I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was dropped by his record label - the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. Not only did he ruin Against All Odds (I really don't like Phil Collins, but that was the one song I did like by him) he then went on to do a cover of Luther Vandross - his voice isn't a patch on Luther's.

I didn't like G4 either.

[lilmissnaughty]

Steve Brookstein has been dropped from his record label.

And I agree, he is rubbish, and arrogant with it. He thinks he sounds like Al Green - nuff said.

[Ruth]

He thinks he sounds like Al Green?!!! In his dreams!

[lilmissnaughty]

Yep, I read it in an interview with him ages ago. He's deluded.

[CharlotteSometimes]

Originally posted by Ruth

Steve Brookstein was rubbish

I didn't like G4 either.

I love you!

[Fangz]

Steve Brookstein - proof that the sympathy-vote does exist.

[katieee]

g4 were the true winners

theyve had loads of sucess and are curently working on their 2nd album not to mention theyve had a 40 date tour and have been to a hreat deal of venues

[Ruth]

Originally posted by CharlotteSometimes

I love you!

[ThaGazBoi]

G4 Were rubbish but so was steve. Rowetta was the best by far