Simon Cowell tells X Factor wannabes: No more sob stories

Simon Cowell may have gone all soft when it comes to being a dad to baby Eric. But as an X Factor judge he’s still as hard as nails.

Simon returns as head judge to the ITV singing contest for the latest series and has said he won’t be lending a sympathetic ear to X Factor contestants this year.

Don’t be fooled by their smiles (ITV)