Matt Cardle launches blistering attack on 'fame hungry' Katie Waissel and says he wants her out of the X Factor
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Wanted out: Matt Cardle says 'fame-obsessed' Katie Waissel, seen here arriving at rehearsal studios in North London on Friday, should leave the X Factor
Tensions are running at fever pitch behind the scenes on the X Factor after Matt Cardle launched a stinging attack on under-fire Katie Waissel.
The former painter and decorator, who is the bookmaker’s favourite to win the ITV talent show, blasted the blonde as a 'fame-hungry t**t' - and revealed he wanted her out of the competition and out of the X Factor house.
His comments came after the 24-year-old receptionist was alleged to have leaked a story to a Sunday newspaper about the pair being caught in bed together.
Brave face: Waissel wears a smile despite her unpopularity on the show
Not a Waissel fan: Matt Cardle arrives at the X Factor rehearsal studios ahead of this weekend's shows
It is a claim Miss Waissel has strenuously denied, saying they were merely watching a Family Guy DVD on his laptop - though she admitted they had kissed each other during a game the week before.
But the 27-year-old hopeful, who is mentored by Dannii Minogue, was said to be 'furious' and 'humiliated' and told Miss Waissel to 'stop making stuff up' in a bid to raise her profile.
And it seems Mr Cardle's rage has not subsided as speaking from the rehearsal studios yesterday he said: 'That stuff about us being in bed together was absolute bullsh*t.
Brave face: Cher Lloyd pulls a smile that's a half grimace on her way into Fountain Studios for show rehearsals
'Katie's a fame hungry tw*t. I can't say any more about it because nothing happened. 'I would never go near her. I'm not speaking to her, I don't have anything to do with her in the house.
'I've made my feelings absolutely clear and if she doesn't get it by now then she's more stupid than I thought.'
Asked what Miss Waissel could do to make amends he said: 'The only thing she could do is leave the competition.
Getting ready: Zayn Malik from One Direction, Esther Campbell from Belle Amie - who was all dressed up for Halloween - and Mary Byrne arrive to practice their routines for tomorrow's live show
'I don't care if she's in or out of it, as long as she's out of my face. I'm concentrating on the competition, not all that sh*t.'
The singer also denied reports that he had reunited with his girlfriend Lauren Cutmore, saying: 'I'm single.
‘She’s a lovely girl but we are not back together and never will get back together. 'We split up because we split up, it had nothing to do with the X Factor.'
It had been reported yesterday that the singer had reunited with his ex, who he split with just before being put through to the 'Boot Camp' stage.
Crazy for Cardle: X Factor fans at the Fountain studios in London as the remaining 11 contestants rehearse
It's rumoured that he was advised to ditch his four year relationship by X Factor bigwigs, believing that his single status would gain him a wider fanbase and boost his chances of winning Britain's biggest talent contest.
Matt is 6-4 favourite to win the X Factor and has been praised week after week for his strong performances and impressive vocal range.
Following his acoustic performance of Britney Spears’ Hit Me Baby One More Time last weekend, Simon Cowell said: 'It is easy to do a straight cover version of a song but to take a song like that and make it your own – I think you are one of the most important people on the show.’
And even though Miss Waissel has struggled to impress viewers, it seems they are now coming around after she gave two sterling performances over the past two weeks.
Scary times: Aiden Grimshaw pulls a terrified face ahead of this weekend's Halloween shows
Last week, Simon Cowell praised her rendition of I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book, saying: ‘I thought was terrific,’, while Louis Walsh added: 'This is the real Katie. She sang, she danced, she entertained and she's got The X Factor. I loved it.'
Mr Cardle, however said he is struggling to come to terms with his new fame, saying: 'It's all a bit odd but it's nice that the fans want to come and show their support.
'It's a sign that they are enjoying what they see on a Saturday night. The girls just scream all the time.
'I mean, if I had six 25-year-olds screaming at me then it would be different, but they are young girls.’
But Katie Waissel clearly has no such problems. The 24-year-old tweeted a message to fans on Friday, writing: "I'll be back out again soon, I promise!! it's so cute whenever u scream for One Direction I can't help but scream with you lol!!xxx" The 11 remaining contenders will perform in Saturday's show with the results of the public vote unveiled on Sunday.