'I was set up' claims Dunfermline X Factor hopeful
Siew Peng Lee • Published 15 Jun 2012 08:55
14 Comments
A DUNFERMLINE X Factor contestant who clashed with judge Tulisa Contostavlos over a throwaway quip has claimed he was "set up" by the show's producers.
Dad-of-four Paul Ellard (37) was slated by by the panel - comprising Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Louis Walsh and guest judge Anastacia - after he showed off his purple jacket and cracked, "This is like something from one of your videos, Tulisa."
The remark, made at the X Factor auditions in Glasgow on Monday left the N-Dubz star - who was in a sex tape leaked online earlier this year - fuming.
She was reported to have retorted, "Well, already it's a massive 'No' from me."
However, Paul - who claims to have made the final 15 of the Take That auditions in the early 90s - told the Press his remark had been taken the wrong way and he'd been set up.
He claimed, "I came on in my purple jacket and 'Mr Cabaret' T-shirt underneath.
"One of the executive producers came to the front of the stage and asked me to show off my jacket again, so I turned and did it again.
"Having watched Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Anastacia's pop videos I had been trying to take an essence from each and incorporate them into my routine.
"I said, 'This is like something from one of your videos, Tulisa' - meaning pop videos.
"Obviously the crowd reacted and at that point I saw her face fall.
"I realised how it might have come across and tried to explain, 'It was one of your pop videos' but they were having none of it.
"It was not planned. It just came out as a single comment. Why would I go on and waste five months of my time?"
He said had not even sung a note yet but added, "It didn't matter what I sang from then.
"I just thought, whatever they say just put your mike behind you and take it like a professional."
Entertainer Paul, who sang The Darkness hit, 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love', also claimed he had been told to go on with a photo of him auditioning for Take That.
But after his audition Gary is reported to have said, "Thank God you didn't get into Take That" - while Tulisa slammed it as "dated".
However, Paul said, "Three days before the audition producers asked for five tracks with no backing vocals.
"I had four other tracks which were more modern but they insisted I lead with 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love'.
"Before I went on one of the producers was giving me advice, 'You've got to ask Gary about Take That'.
"I actually said I didn't really want to do that but I was told I would be asked even if I didn't.
"I took it as good advice and in good faith, not that I was going to be set up."
There were also technical issues, as Paul claimed, "The song started and my mike went from this quiet thing pressed right against my mouth to 'Boom!'
"I can sing that song no problem but the track didn't sound in the right key to me and I knew as I was singing it didn't sound right.
"Other contestants were complaining about the music as well."
Paul claimed producers had contacted him prior to this year's show.
He explained, "I auditioned last year and got through five rounds before facing the judges.
"I got called back but I missed their calls twice - the first time was when my grandfather had just passed away and the second time I was at the hospital in Dundee with my daughter.
"But they kept calling me. I assumed they were checking if I was taking part this year.
"I thought I'd give it another shot and go for the auditions in February."
He later apologised for his video remark on the Xtra Factor but said, "At the end I thought, they are going to spin it any way they want.
"It could have gone the other way if the audition had been a success. One line spun it a different direction.
"I have had people on Twitter follow me because they don't like Tulisa and thought it was intentional but it wasn't. I have nothing against Tulisa.
"I'm finished with X Factor now. I'm not going to be set up and mocked. But if Mock the Week or 8 Out Of 10 Cats want me, I'm up for it."
Responding to the claims, an X Factor spokesperson said, "This is completely without foundation. All contestants go through the same process and are treated fairly."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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knowsthetruth
1 post
Jun 15, 09:46
Report commentWhat a load of rubbish. Excuses excuses. (laughs out loud)!
Recommend?
Yes 38
No 4
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cutiefox12
33 posts
Jun 15, 13:46
Report commentjust to let everybody know, he has changed his appearance, shaved off his beard and I think his hair as he is now wearing a baseball hat, something I have never seen on his head before. He is always blowing his own trumpet and thinks he is marvelous perhaps this a wake up call for him and he now fades into a less boring person and we get to meet the real man (fingers crossed).
Recommend? Yes 35
No 2
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Calimero
68 posts
Jun 15, 15:26
Report commentCertainly doesnt look like he has the X-Factor. If I knew I was going on TV or appearing in the local paper, I would have made more of an effort to wear something more "normal" than a t-shirt with a picture of myself on it, yellow hair and a garishly bright purple satin blazer! They always seem to pick on the ones that stand out and are wanted for crimes against fashion. Not doing himself any favours there. If you are really determined to succeed in this line of work Mr Ellard then I suggest you sack your stylist.
Recommend? Yes 28
No 1
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Ben Dover
13 posts
Jun 15, 15:50
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Dorium
12 posts
Jun 15, 17:06
Report commentI listened to his demo tape - I agree with the judges. I wouldn't even have rated him beside a Wagner.
But then I think both have benefited about as much as they would have from this story. X-Factor got some publicity, and Mr Cabaret has had some exposure - moreso than if he had just appeared, sang, then disappeared having had four 'no's.
What was that sound? It was Dunfermline's Barbara Dickson breathing a sigh of relief.
Recommend? Yes 20
No 0
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Angus
35 posts
Jun 15, 23:42
Report commentI think it's safe to say that the only person who set him up for failure was himself. What a nugget, who goes on stage and says to a star associated with a sex tape and says something like that?!
Recommend? Yes 26
No 0
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Haggis55
1 post
Jun 15, 23:51
Report commentIt's his poor Family I feel
Sorry for! Get a proper job and stop making a fool of yourself and those around you. That jacket is something out of the 80's.
Recommend? Yes 30
No 0
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magpiefifer
12 posts
Jun 16, 11:24
Report commentThe word deluded springs to mind!
Why does the Press give this guy so much space - waste of!!!
Recommend? Yes 27
No 0
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supersonic
217 posts
Jun 17, 12:27
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UKnowImright
1 post
Jun 18, 09:31
Report commentI don't ever remember him saying he even auditioned for Take That when I worked with him in the 90's. And from what I recall his style was the same then.
A lepeord never changes it's spots eh.
Once a nugget always a nugget!
Not surprised in the slightest he made a fool of himself.
He knew exactly what he was saying. You don't work hard for 5 months and not know or find out anything about who will be judging you.....do you Paul???
Recommend? Yes 23
No 0
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suse69
2 posts
Jun 18, 19:45
Report comment"I'm finished with X Factor now. I'm not going to be set up and mocked. But if Mock the Week or 8 Out Of 10 Cats want me, I'm up for it."
Bit of a contradiction "Mr Cabaret", what do you think happens on these shows ???
NUGGET !!!!!!
Recommend? Yes 16
No 0
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maclam
308 posts
Jun 19, 02:05
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reeeshard
1 post
Jun 20, 08:31
Report commentPretty much everyone on xfactor is a setup. You are only ever going go get to the judge stage if you are embarrrasingly bad or epically good. He is clearly in the embarrasing crowd.
Between this guy and the one who eats the ferrero rocher, its little wonder people thing that Dunfermline is a town of talentless fools.
Recommend? Yes 14
No 0
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feral07
6 posts
Jul 6, 17:23
Report commentSome of his performance at the x factor taken with a mobile phone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6mhRFVEGFc
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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