Sami: Louis should go

Ousted 'X Factor' contestant Sami Brookes has suggested that her former mentor Louis Walsh should make way for new celebrity talent on the judging panel.

The 31-year-old singer, from Rhyl in north Wales, made the remark after Walsh, the only remaining judge from the previous series, sealed her fate with the deciding vote on this weekend’s TV show.

“Louis has got loads of experience, but it’s a new 'X Factor' so they should have someone new,” she said, adding that she would like to see Simon Cowell return.

Brookes was disappointed Walsh did not do more to save her, after she faced fellow Over-25s singer Kitty Brucknell in the sing-off.

“I do wish Louis had taken it to Deadlock, definitely. Maybe I might have been voted in. I just feel like it was really unfair,” she said.

Admitting that Walsh spends more time with “his favourite act” Brucknell, the singer continued: “I just feel like I didn’t really get the songs that I wrote down. Everyone had some input but all my song choices got overlooked, so I wish Louis had helped more with the song choices.

“I just wish he would have taken my ideas more on board because he is such a funny guy and brilliant. I think he doesn’t see me maybe as a singer. He can’t mould me into the next Beyonce, he can’t mould me into the next Rihanna. I didn’t come on to this show to be a pop star – I’m 31 years old, I’m not a pop star.”

Brookes also denied that she was bullied by contestant Misha Bryan on the show.

She said: “You know, it makes me laugh. How could someone who’s about 4 foot something bully me – I’m like 16 stone and about 6 feet high? I am twice the height of Misha. Can you really see Misha bullying me?”

She explained: “Me and Misha, we had a little disagreement on Friday, I can’t even remember what it’s about, but we’re really good mates. I think due to the pressure of the show, being tired and everything, we were both crying.

“I can stand up for myself, but I’m not getting bullied. I think all the girls have disagreements. People aren’t used to each other, it’s a different environment so people are going to argue about fake tan and things like that. It’s like a big family so there are bound to be some arguments.”

Walsh accused Bryan of bullying fellow contestants on Saturday night’s show.

Brookes, who is “gutted” to leave the show, is “praying” for more singing work and fancies a stint in West End musical 'Blood Brothers' as Mrs Johnstone.

“I am gutted but it’s not all over for me. This is the biggest platform, it’s the best show in the UK, I’ve been on it and it’s a stepping stone. How good does it look on my CV?” she said.

“I hope – and pray – I get work from it. I want to sing and I really want to get into the West End.”

She is now backing camp singer Johnny Robinson to win the show.

“Johnny Robinson is Christmas No 1. Then Louis doesn’t have to make Johnny into a pantomime act, he will have to take Johnny seriously, because Johnny can bloody sing,” she said.

“I love Johnny. I want him more than anything to win. He’s older, he’s tried all his life to get somewhere. Because he’s older, I think he deserves a chance.”