'X Factor' rejects praise Cowell

‘X Factor’ rejects Belle Amie have praised Simon Cowell for his “hands-on” approach to mentoring.

The four-piece girl group – Sophia Wardman, Geneva Lane, Rebecca Creighton and Esther Campbell – dismissed judge Louis Walsh’s claim that Simon devoted more time to boyband One Direction, who are now his only act left in the competition following Belle Amie’s departure from the show on Sunday night.

Rebecca explained: “Simon was definitely the mentor we’d hoped he would be. We wanted him from day one so we were really pleased we got him as a mentor.

“We disagree with what Louis said. He was very hands on, and we had a really good working relationship with him – he trusted in our decisions and we worked together.”

Sophia added: “For such a powerful man he still understands you, he doesn’t expect you to be anyone different. And I think he liked us because we are who we are.”

The group – who have vowed to stay together, despite being created specifically for the ITV1 show – also addressed rumours that ‘X Factor’ guest judge Geri Halliwell would be managing the band in the future, saying they would be thrilled to work alongside the former Spice Girls singer.

Speaking to ITV1’s ‘This Morning’, Sophia said: “It’s amazing. We’d love to meet her. I think she’s said she likes us, so hopefully … we’d love to get to work with her.

“We grew up with the Spice Girls, we loved them!”