Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
NEW DIRECTION

Simon Cowell to reveal X Factor girl band to fill the hole left by 1D split

Pop mogul has a boyband-shaped vacancy in his roster after One Direction went their separate ways last year

SIMON COWELL has a boyband-shaped vacancy in his roster after ONE DIRECTION went their separate ways last year.

And now he’s hoping to replicate their worldwide success with a brand new band — this time made up of gorgeous girls.

 Simon is placing his hopes  on a six-piece girlband, which he made up from contestants who stood out throughout Boot Camp and the auditions
13
Simon is placing his hopes  on a six-piece girlband, which he made up from contestants who stood out throughout Boot Camp and the auditionsCredit: Flynet Pictures

The mogul, above, has picked six individual stars from The  X Factor to form a brand new girl group.

And it just so happens  that most of them have modelling experience.

A source said: “Simon is placing his hopes  on a six-piece girlband, which he made up from contestants who stood out throughout Boot Camp and the auditions.

“They all have incredible voices and look amazing together, given they all have a great fashion sense and can dance, too.

 Girlband member: Sky
13
Girlband member: Sky

Simon thinks the band will appeal to both girls and boys and is hoping  they will progress  to the live shows.”

Show favourite Lydia Calvin — who is dating MICHELLE KEEGAN’s ex Brad Howard — will be joined in the group by Kelsey Gill, Charlie Cammish and Sky-Autumn Amber.

Lingerie model Ash Holme has also been taken out of the group she originally auditioned with, called NQ,  and put  in the new band.

Imogen Blue, who appeared in Channel 5 series One Night With My Ex, completes the line-up.

 Girlband member: Charlie
13
Girlband member: Charlie

The band, which is yet to be named, are currently in Nice,  France, for the judges’ houses part of the show.

I reckon they’ll all be hoping that having ex-GIRLS ALOUD member CHERYL as Simon’s guest  mentor will work in their favour.

 Girlband member: Kelsey
13
Girlband member: Kelsey
 Girlband member: Ash
13
Girlband member: Ash
 Girlband member: Imogen
13
Girlband member: Imogen
 Girlband member: Lydia
13
Girlband member: Lydia
 Simon has a big hole to fill after One Direction went their separate ways last year
13
Simon has a big hole to fill after One Direction went their separate ways last yearCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 1D in their X Factor days
13
1D in their X Factor daysCredit: Rex Features


Read more from Dan Wootton's Bizarre TV Column


Liam and Idris's hat spat over

 Friends again... Idris Elba and Liam Gallagher told Graham Norton they've ended their 'hat' feud that began at the 2013 NME Awards
13
Friends again... Idris Elba and Liam Gallagher told Graham Norton they've ended their 'hat' feud that began at the 2013 NME AwardsCredit: PA:Press Association

LIAM GALLAGHER and  IDRIS ELBA have ended their feud which began at the 2013 NME Awards.

On tonight’s BBC1 GRAHAM NORTON  chat show, they tell fellow guests KATE WINSLET and CHRIS ROCK all about it.

Idris says: “We had a falling out. He threw my hat.”

But Liam moans: “You started it, mate, by feeling my hair.”

 Idris explains the 'hat spat' to fellow guests Kate Winslet and Chris Rock
13
Idris explains the 'hat spat' to fellow guests Kate Winslet and Chris RockCredit: PA:Press Association

Idris   explains: “I gave him a hug and he didn’t like that ’cos he loves his hair. He took my hat off and threw it across the bar so we had a bit of a thing. We’re all good now.”

Glad to hear it, guys.


 Megan and Pete Wicks have once again split after a series of rows
13
Megan and Pete Wicks have once again split after a series of rowsCredit: Splash News

MEGAN MCKENNA won’t be short of heartbreak ballads for her next country album.

She has  once again split from boyfriend PETE WICKS after a string of rows.

A source close to the Towie couple said: “Megan and Pete have given their relationship everything but it hasn’t been enough. After an amazing start, they have been arguing a lot again and neither of them  can handle the stress and pressure of constant rows.

“They are constantly falling out – but there’s no guarantee  they won’t rekindle again.”

I can’t see this pair keeping away from  each other for too  long . . .



Must watch

WHAT? Have I Got News For You, BBC 1, 9pm.

WHY? A new series of the satirical current affairs quiz.  ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG will try  to keep the team captains  IAN HISLOP and PAUL MERTON in check.


Thrown off plan

AFTER I first revealed the engagement of KIT HARINGTON and ROSE LESLIE last month, the Game Of Thrones heart-throb has finally spilled the beans on his proposal.

 Games Of Thrones star Kit Harrington has revealed his proposal to Rose Leslie did not go entirely to plan
13
Games Of Thrones star Kit Harrington has revealed his proposal to Rose Leslie did not go entirely to plan

It turns out not everything went entirely to plan for the man better known as heroic Jon Snow.

Kit, pictured, with Rose, said: “I was going to string  up some lights on some trees and do all the romantic stuff, but we were in the country and we were under this beautiful night sky with the log fire burning and the red wine and I sort of blew my load early.”

He also revealed he is going to have to take time off from filming  the fantasy series to fit in his wedding  – and so are the rest of the cast.

Speaking to JONATHAN ROSS for tomorrow night’s ITV show, Kit explained: “There is a man who does  the schedules for Thrones and you can imagine it is the most complicated thing in  the world.

“This time, I rang him up and said, ‘I am getting married. You have got to factor in a Game Of Thrones wedding, by the way’.

“All of the cast are going to be there so the whole thing has got to shut down.

“We won’t be getting married in costume, though.”

What a shame – that’d be the best wedding photo ever.

SOAPBOX

IT’S a tough week for Carmel in EASTENDERS as she has to make a huge decision over whether or not to move.

A fresh start seems tempting, but she is worried about all the friends she will be leaving behind.

Meanwhile, Gethin agrees to tutor Bex again after she apologises for her recent behaviour. But does she really mean it?

In CORONATION STREET, Phelan issues a menacing threat to Daniel at his flat and says he’ll  hurt him if he doesn’t stop snooping.

Elsewhere, Shona arrives for her birthday meal at the Bistro with the Platts, but she’s instantly unsettled by the sight of Dane at a  nearby table.

Predicting a scene, she sneakily sets off the fire alarm in order to make an early exit, arousing David’s suspicions.

Topics