Net bullies leave X Factor's Jesy in tears

Jesy, who is one part of girlband Little Mix, broke down in tears on the show after seeing hurtful jibes about her appearance on the web.

The singer opened up about her 'insecurities' ahead of the show, where she cried on her bandmate's shoulder.

Sobbing to camera, she said: "People are writing a few nasty comments. It just got to me a little bit. Obviously when you've got your own insecurities and then when people go and tell you, and write them on websites for everyone to see, it just makes you feel really rubbish.'

She added: '"Being in a girl group with three beautiful girls, who are obviously a lot slimmer and smaller than me, and obviously I know I'm a lot bigger ... I find it really hard when people publicise it."

After impressing the panel with their version of Katy Perry's E.T., Louis Walsh told Jesy: "Jesy, don't read the negative things people are just jealous because you're on the X Factor."

Tulisa added: 'Jesy, it takes a lot to speak up and am proud of you.

Jesy's revelation comes just a day after her mentor Tulisa Contostavlos claimed Little Mix were victims of Misha B's alleged 'bullying' last week.

The X Factor judge is not on speaking terms with Kelly Rowland following the live row where Tulisa and Louis accused Misha of making nasty comments to other contestants.

Hundreds of X Factor viewers were quick to slam the cruel bullies on Twitter.

chloeleggattTVD wrote: "Sat crying at jesy from @littlemixoffic Everything she said is what i go through!I love you so much jesy, thankyou for being my rolemodel!

love_littlemix dani added: "I can't believe ppl have been being mean to you Jesy, we love you jesy, just ignore them babe!"

Risky ... The new line-up for The Risk got rave reviews

Risky ... The new line-up for The Risk got rave reviews

Ken McKay/TalkbackThames / Rex F
After a horror week for the show, the X Factor hopefuls channelled their inner demons for this week's spook-tacular show.

Earlier, the show was dealt another blow as Kelly Rowland was forced to drop out just 24 hours before.

The former Destiny's Child singer was struck down with a viral throat infection during a visit to America.

Alexandra Burke, who won the show in 2008, was drafted in as a last-minute replacement. The Broken Heels singer took over Kelly's mentoring duties to support the girls on Fright Night.

Earlier in the week, The Risk's Ashley Baptiste shocked producers after announcing his intention to quit. The boyband singer broke down in tears as he revealed that he didn't want to be part of the band.

He admitted it was the 'saddest and hardest thing' he had to do as he left to make way for Ashford, who was part of boyband Nu Vibe, axed earlier in the series.

Ashford was surprised by his call back to the show and told the X Factor that he was 'excited to have another lifeline.'

Standing in ... Alexandra Burke joined Tulisa, Gary and Louis on the judging panel

Standing in ... Alexandra Burke joined Tulisa, Gary and Louis on the judging panel

Ken McKay/TalkbackThames / Rex F

Kicking off fright night, the reinvented group paid homage to Michael Jackson with a smash-hit cover of Thriller.

Despite just a day to rehearse with their new member, the boys stormed the stage with their fang-tastic performance.

Stand-in judge Alexandra Burke said 'it was a fantastic opening to the show', while Gary praised their determination to carry on without Ashley.

Tulisa, who dressed up in a leather catsuit, gave her boys a standing ovation.

Meanwhile Johnny Robinson proved he was a serious contender with his stunning soulful piano sing-along. The eccentric singer looked dapper in a suit as he crooned Billie Holiday's Ole Devil Called Love.

His performance was hair-raising for all the right reasons and won round Gary and Tulisa.

Tulisa told Louis, "You have been hiding his skills for too long."

Gary added: "You are not a novelty singer, you are a great singer."

Londoner Sophie Habibis's emotional version of Cher's Bang Bang left the judges cold.

A shocked Sophie retorted as Louis dismissed the singer as a 'secretary who sings at the weekend' and 'not a pop star'.

Gary was no kinder in his damning verdict of the hopeful, calling her song choices 'dull as dish water.'

Hairdresser Marcus Collins however set sparks flying with the judges with an energetic performance of Stevie Wonder's Superstition.

The crimper received rave reviews for his 'fun' routine, with Gary telling him he 'delivered again' and Alexandra telling the singer he 'worked the stage'.

Star ... Misha B impressed the judges with her cover of Soft Cell's Tainted Love

Star ... Misha B impressed the judges with her cover of Soft Cell's Tainted Love

Ken McKay/TalkbackThames / Rex F

Misha B, who was at the centre of a 'bully' storm last week DENIED she bullied anyone backstage during tonight's show.

The talented singer said she was 'upset' by the live row last week.

She told the show, "The critique became about me and not about music. It upset me. At one point I had to pinch myself, is this really happening?"

"I've never bullied anyone on the show. I came on here for one thing only, music. If I've upset someone, I'm sorry."

Misha B put her critics behind her as she belted out an feisty rendition of Soft Cell's Tainted Love, treating viewers to an off-the-cuff rap.

Tulisa tolds the under-fire singer she 'was born a star' while Gary said her performance 'was out of the stratosphere'.

Janet Devlin, failed to haunt the judges with her interpretation of Every Breath You Take.

The 16-year-old performed the Police hit with her recently-dyed red hair crimped against a backdrop of a full moon and cobwebbed furniture.

While the judges rated her voice, they feared she was becoming too predictable.

Following his rumoured love interest, ladies' man Frankie hit back at his critics with his song choice.

Frankie, who is the favourite to go this week, gave viewers a tricky decision with his surprisingly good cover of The Clash's hit, Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

Letting his backstage antics spill out on the stage, the singer walked through the audience to screaming fans as he made his entrance on to a bed complete with scantily-clad dancers.

Bedroom antics ... ladies' man Frankie covorts on a bed with dancers

Bedroom antics ... ladies' man Frankie covorts on a bed with dancers

Ken McKay/TalkbackThames / Rex F

But while the 'young Robbie' got the thumbs-up from Gary, Tulisa and Louis, sit-in judge Alexandra was left baffled about his dedication to the competition.

She asked the wannabe rock star, 'how serious do you take this?' before being shouted down by head judge Gary Barlow.

Pulling out the stops for Halloween week, Kitty Brucknell sent the judges in a spin as she performed on a rotating catherine wheel.

The kooky singer, who was in the bottom two last week, teamed leather trousers and a sequin corset to belt out Sweet Dreams.

Her efforts to 'step up her game' earned her brownie points with the judges as they praised her show-stopping antics.

Lous told the former Lady GaGa tribute act: "I made the right decision in keeping you. You never let me down."

Tulisa added "Every week you pull a new trick out of the bag."

In a spin ... Kitty Brucknell is strapped to a wheel for her performance

In a spin ... Kitty Brucknell is strapped to a wheel for her performance

Ken McKay/TalkbackThames / Rex F

Craig Colton rounded off the night with a strong delivery of Adele's Set Fire to The Rain.

He set the stage alight with his soulful voice and won the approval of the judges.

Louis was first to rate his rendition: "You are the heart and soul of the X Factor. You are now a contender."

Tulisa praised Craig's talent. "The more and more I hear you, the more I think this guy could sell albums."

Mentor Gary added "Craig, this is the performance of the night."

X Factor 2011: Alexandra Burke makes her mark on the judging panel and has an affectionate dig at Louis Walsh

  • Alexandra replaced a sick Kelly Rowland on tonight's judging panel
  • Had a friendly spat with Louis Walsh after she dubbed his act Kitty Brucknell as 'cabaret'

She was crowned winner of the show in 2008, but tonight Alexandra returned to the X Factor as a judge - and she certainly made sure her opinion was heard.

Sitting amongst Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos, the singer was there to fill the shoes of an unwell Kelly Rowland.

'I'm really looking forward to it,' she said earlier on today.

Excited: Alexandra Burke makes her grand entrance on the X Factor tonight and said she couldn't wait for the evening to begin

Excited: Alexandra Burke makes her grand entrance on the X Factor tonight and said she couldn't wait for the evening to begin

Excited: Alexandra Burke makes her grand entrance on the X Factor tonight and said she couldn't wait for the evening to begin

'I'm here to back the girls, here for Kelly's girls and ain't taking any nonsense from this one over here,' she added, pointing to the Irishman.

But that wasn't the only dig the 23-year-old had at the over-25 mentor of the show.

Following Kitty Brucknell's performance of the Eurythmics hit, Sweet Dreams, Alexandra told the hopeful that she felt she was like a 'cabaret singer.'

But this comment got to Louis as he hit back at the Bad Boys singer, which left her shouting over him.

Temporary replacement: Alexandra joined the three judges on tonight's show and certainly made sure her opinion was heard

Temporary replacement: Alexandra joined the three judges on tonight's show and certainly made sure her opinion was heard

No doubt Kelly would have been proud of the young star fighting her corner, but would also be glad to know that her fellow judges were thinking of her.

'She's going to be gutted about the show, said Gary.

'Plus she missed your dance routine Dermot,' he added.

Her female rival, Tulisa, also referenced the U.S. singer by saying: 'We all want to send our love to Kelly, we hope she gets well and is back for next week live and kicking.

Alexandra was chosen to step in within the last 24 hours after Kelly flew to Los Angeles following a bust up with Tulisa Contostavlos.

Having it out: Tulisa looked on as Louis and Alexandra had a disagreement over Kitty's performance

Having it out: Tulisa looked on as Louis and Alexandra had a disagreement over Kitty's performance

'No nonsense': The Bad Boys singer had a friendly dig at Louis Walsh and offended him during her comments on Kitty Brucknell

'No nonsense': The Bad Boys singer had a friendly dig at Louis Walsh and offended him during her comments on Kitty Brucknell

When Kelly claimed that she was too ill with a throat infection to return in time for this evening's show, X Factor bosses went into crisis mode to find a replacement.

ITV told the Daily Mail: 'It is true that Alexandra is replacing Kelly tonight, but we have no further information at present.'

Alexandra was announced following speculation that show supremo Simon Cowell or Nicole Scherzinger would step in as an emergency replacement.

Kelly Rowland left the X Factor in crisis after refusing to return to the show following her fallout with co-star Tulisa Contostavlos.

Replacement: Alexandra Burke arrives at the X Factor studios today to take Kelly Rowland's place on the judging panel for tonight's live X Factor show

Replacement: Alexandra Burke is to take Kelly Rowland's place on the judging panel for tonight's live X Factor show

Replacement: Alexandra Burke arrives at the X Factor studios today to take Kelly Rowland's place on the judging panel for tonight's live X Factor show

Personal experience: Bad Boys singer Alexandra won the fifth series of the X Factor in 2008

Personal experience: Bad Boys singer Alexandra won the fifth series of the X Factor in 2008

The Destiny's Child singer, 30, flew to Los Angeles this week, leaving her three hopefuls to work on their own performances alone.

And tonight, panicking X Factor bosses were forced into 11th hour meetings as Miss Rowland claimed she had a throat infection and would not be able fly back to the UK for the ITV show.

A statement read: 'Kelly is devastated she won't be here for this weekend's show. She is extremely ill with a viral throat infection and her doctors aren't permitting her to fly.

'Kelly will be returning to the show as soon as she has recovered. The girls have been in touch to wish her a speedy recovery and they can't wait for her to get back. More news as we have it.'

Kelly also told The Sun that she is suffering from an 'extremely rare' illness, and has been in tears about her situation all week.

She explained to the paper: 'I'm so sick - I have no idea what is wrong with me, but I have the worst sore throat.

'I've been in tears all week. It got so bad that I stopped eating and drinking and got so dehydrated the doctor put me on a drip.

'Even now I can't swallow anything - not even my own saliva. The doctors don't even really know what's wrong, either. They say whatever I have is extremely rare.'

X Factor bosses are now looking for someone to replace her on the judging panel tonight. It had been thought to be Nicole Scherzinger, but this has now been denied by officials. Sources at the show have also denied that Simon Cowell will be joining the panel for the show.

A show source told the Daily Mail: 'Quite honestly, it's expected that the judges would have to be on their death bed to miss a show.

Tension: Kelly Rowland had a falling out with fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos on last week's show before jetting off to Los Angeles

Tension: Kelly Rowland had a falling out with fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos on last week's show before jetting off to Los Angeles

'The fact that Kelly has a throat infection hardly seems that desperate.

'The producers are less than impressed and we've have had less than 24 hours to pick someone to stand in for her.'

Miss Rowland is still not speaking to her fellow judge Miss Contostavlos after the pair fell out live on air on last week's show.

And the insider added: 'Kelly is turning into a real diva, she's been on the phone to all the producers all week moaning about Tulisa's antics.'

The N-Dubz singer, 23, had accused one of Miss Rowland's hopefuls, Misha Bryan, of being mean to her own wannabes.

Cross words: Miss Rowland is still not speaking to her fellow judge Miss Contostavlos after the pair fell out live on air last weekend

Cross words: Miss Rowland is still not speaking to her fellow judge Miss Contostavlos after the pair fell out live on air last weekend

Fellow judge Louis Walsh then waded into the row by calling Misha, 19, a 'bully' - and was then forced to apologise to the viewers.

Miss Rowland had then fled the studio without speaking to Miss Contostavlos following last Sunday night's results show.

And just a day later she flew to Los Angeles, although later denied reports that she had fled the country following her bust-up with her co-star, instead, saying it was a long-planned work trip.

Miss Bryan, 19, from Manchester, had received positive comments from the judges for her performance of Prince's 'Purple Rain' on Saturday's rock-themed show, but Walsh sparked a war of words when said he feared she was too 'over-confident'.

He told her: 'You're very confident, you're a very confident performer. I hope you're not too over-confident.'

That's my girl: Kelly defended Misha B via her Twitter page after the row

That's my girl: Kelly defended Misha B via her Twitter page after the row

Miss Contostavlos, who is mentoring the groups, then inflamed the situation, saying: 'There is no doubt about it, when it comes to talent you are way up there.

'Most people they come into the competition and they need to be built up and progress, but you came as a whole package and you are definitely the star of the show.

'But I do have one negative this week. I think you are very competitive and I've seen a different side of you backstage and you don't realise that you do it, but in some ways you being so feisty can come across as quite mean to certain contestants and I've been told by a few this week there's been a few mean comments towards them.

'I'm not putting you down but take that feistiness and energy when you get on the stage and leave them all behind. Put aside the attitude.'

Absent: Former Destiny's Child star Kelly has been away all week, missing mentoring sessions with members of her group

Absent: Former Destiny's Child star Kelly has been away all week, missing mentoring sessions with members of her group

Miss Rowland insisted: 'We leave things backstage, backstage, but you brought it on stage and you brought it clean and clear and on fire tonight. I am so very proud of you, continue to work hard and you're supposed to be confident when you go on stage.'

She then turned to Walsh and said: 'I think some of your categories should get some more confidence.'

Walsh, who is looking after the Over 25s category, then interjected: 'One of my contestants has complained about Misha bullying her backstage.'

Afterwards, Miss Contostavlos remained defiant, saying: 'I feel like if you are going to portray a certain person on stage, it should be the same person that's backstage.

'I feel like when it comes to energy, it's a different character but when it comes to who you are, if she's being someone else backstage and said a bitchy comment to one of my acts then I'm going to express it.'

Speculation: Nicole Scherzinger, who sits on the X Factor USA panel, was rumoured to be a possible replacement for Kelly

Speculation: Nicole Scherzinger, who sits on the X Factor USA panel, was rumoured to be a possible replacement for Kelly

But Miss Rowland hit back: 'I think that deserves to stay backstage, I think there is a time and a place for everything and we were here tonight to judge them for what they did onstage and not for what is going on backstage.'

Miss Rowland added to The Sun that while she hasn't yet forgiven Tulisa for her comments, they are not what's keeping her away from the show.

She said: 'I still disagree with Tulisa, but in the heat of the moment the passion gets to us and we are all extremely passionate about what we do as mentors.

'Misha will continue to shine and she will learn from this experience and use it to master herself as an artist as we all learn to do.'

A spokesman for Miss Rowland said last night: 'She's really sick.

No new addition: Nicole Scherzinger, who will be performing on this week's show, will not be taking Kelly's place on the judging panel. She last night enjoyed a meal at London's Scotts restaurant

No new addition: Nicole who will be performing on this week's show, will not be taking Kelly's place on the judging panel. She last night enjoyed a meal at London's Scotts restaurant

'Her doctor is not permitting her to fly. She won't be here for tonight's show. She has a viral throat infection. She is really, really sick.

'She has not gone AWOL. She will be back. She's been in contact with the girls. She's been on intravenous drips. Her doctor will not permit her to fly. She tried to get on a flight today but her doctor wasn't letting her.'

An X Factor spokesperson said: 'The most important thing is for Kelly to get better.'

Walsh, 59, only missed a show when Boyzone Stephen Gately died in 2009.