[Arneldo]

X FACTOR bosses were thrown into panic when guest judge Lionel Richie threatened to pull out of tonight’s show.

Bosses signed the All Night Long legend weeks ago and paid for first-class flights for him to arrive in time for a workshop with finalists yesterday.

But Lionel, 57, said he had been struck down by a virus — and the workshop had to be cancelled. He then said he was not sure if he would be able to make it today either.

An insider said: “It was the last thing we needed to hear — we’d given the show a Motown theme in his honour.

“We’ve even given some acts Lionel Richie songs to sing.”

Fortunately bosses were able to convince Richie to leave his Los Angeles home last night and to fly to London — in time for today’s 5.50pm live show.

It will be the first time the 12 acts perform live in front of TV audiences. Hospital worker Robert Allen is to sing All Night Long, while model Ashley McKenzie is performing Easy, and the MacDonald Brothers are doing Three Times A Lady.

They spent yesterday rehearsing at the show’s new £1million set in London.

Sources said the practice session was a “storming success” despite nerves.


One said: “The judges were gobsmacked at how good it was. They were grinning from ear to ear. It’s a great relief.

“Let’s hope they can repeat the performance on the night.”

Dionne Mitchell, 26, is bookies’ favourite to get the boot with odds of 13/8.

The Sun