Cowell: Other judges have ruined Johnson's chances of winning

Simon Cowell reckons the other ‘X Factor’ judges have ruined Danyl Johnson’s chances of winning the show.

The reality TV mogul – mentor to the 27-year-old teacher on the singing talent programme – said criticism from the show’s other three panel members has knocked the singer’s confidence and pushed him to the point of a breakdown.

Speaking of the other judges - Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue – Simon said: “I blame them. If he does what he did on his first audition he’ll be accused of being over-confident.

“He’s confused. I’m confused at the moment. It doesn’t help when those three are giving him mixed messages.

“If he’s confident then he’s ‘cocky’. As a general rule, they have made him lose his spark.”

Cheryl Cole said on Saturday’s show she thought Danyl sung flat during his rendition of George Michael’s ‘Careless Whisper’ while Louis Walsh countered Simon’s comments by saying he should spend more time with his acts to boost their self belief.

Meanwhile, the only remaining female singer in the competition, Stacey Solomon, claimed she would have quit if it weren’t for her budding romance with fellow finalist Olly Murs.

The 20-year-old single mother said: “I read in the paper two weeks ago, ‘Stacey was going to quit until Olly hugged her’ that definitely happened.

“I was in tears, really distraught, ready to walk out the door and Olly came over, gave me a cuddle and I was like, back in the game. Here I am!”