X Factor chief: I didn’t fix it

Show producer Richard Holloway hits
back at claims of 'vote rig' scandal

Happy ... Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Richard Holloway after the show

Exclusive

By COLIN ROBERTSON, TV Editor

Published: 16 hrs ago

97

THE telly supremo accused of rigging Sunday’s X Factor insisted last night amid uproar: “I did nothing wrong.”
Producer Richard Holloway, 63, hit back over being seen speaking to Louis Walsh just before angel-voiced Carolynne Poole got the boot.
A fan who claimed he was in the audience later said he heard Walsh tell fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos he was briefed NOT to save the brunette after her sing-off with Rylan Clark.
The two — bottom in the public vote — were at the mercy of the four judges.
Walsh was visibly distraught as his decision meant camp Ryan was spared.

'Fix' ... Louis Walsh is briefed by Holloway just before result was announced

Holloway insisted: “We never tell the judges what to do.” He said he only told Walsh he was voting last and it would be “impossible” to overhear his conversation.
Late last night Gary Barlow admitted the row had affected him, tweeting: “Been hard to get motivated today.” He sent a message to Carolynne saying: “Good luck. Anything you need I’m here.”
The show — hit by previous “fix” scandals over Jedward and Cher Lloyd — was watched by 11.2million. Almost 2,000 complained. A Sun online poll asking if Sunday’s X Factor was rigged saw 95 per cent say it was.

RYLAN Clark was yesterday rocked by DEATH THREATS.
The X Factor said it was ready to offer him “support” as trolls menaced the wannabe on Twitter.
His hell emerged as Carolynne Poole yesterday said she bore no grudge despite fury at him remaining in the show at her expense.

Tense ... Carolynne Poole and Rylan Clark on the show

The Leeds singer, 33 — who said she cried all night after getting the boot — also forgave vote row judge Louis Walsh.
Carolynne said: “I got sent home and I have to accept it. I can’t go to war with X Factor. You have to play by their rules.”