X Factor’s Mike Hough puts his secret seven year feud with Simon Cowell behind him

X FACTOR’S Mike Hough has put his secret feud with Simon Cowell behind him – seven years after the music mogul crushed his dreams.

Despite the judge praising the singer during Saturday’s show, The Sun Online can reveal the bad blood between the pair started after Mike first entered the singing contest in 2009.

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After making it to the last stages of boot camp during series six, the teen was then axed from the show after Simon said: “I don't think you'll ever be good enough.”

Mike then abandoned all hope of making it in the music industry and spent the following years working in a bank.

Talking about the crushing comment during an interview with in 2012, Mike said:  “X Factor was an interesting journey… I got to the last stages of boot camp and Simon Cowell said I would never be good enough.

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“So I thought: ‘Okay cool.’ I then went and worked for the Royal Bank Of Scotland for two years and then gave up my job and thought I need to focus on my music.

“I was living off like £30 a month and just using what I could and hustled myself.”

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Mike’s efforts soon paid off after independently releasing debut single Hero.

He added: “I released my buzz single Hero a year later and it charted at 35 in the UK Independent chart and 88 in Top 100 and I signed a publishing deal.

“I’m out to prove Mr Cowell wrong.”

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Following his first attempt at finding fame on the show, Mike also blasted Simon on Twitter.

He wrote: “Cannot wait to finish my album… get it out there… and shove my finger up at Simon Cowell… cos ima do it without the “X” are you ready? [sic]”

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However, it seems the singer is now hoping the show will help him boost his already established profile even more.

As he appeared in front of Simon for the first time in seven years on Saturday’s show, Mike said: “I love the show and I’m a fan of the show and it’s always been a dream.

“I’m a part time musician and I want to make it full time and make it my life.”

A source close to Mike tells us: "Mike got through to bootcamp in 2009 and Simon's comments motivated him to work harder and get better so he could go back to Simon and show him that he can do it."

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