The X Factor is at the centre of yet more fix claims after using the same shot of Nicole Scherzinger reacting to two different auditions.
Nicole, wearing a red outfit, looked emotional as she listened to the performances, but now a report by the Daily Star claims it was actually the same shot used twice.
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The first time was on September 2, when Jack Remington and Joel Fishel sang an Ed Sheeran medley and made it through to Bootcamp.
The 39-year-old sat back in her chair and put her hand to her chest, while looking emotional.
The same shot of Nicole reacting was played again on September 23 when Filipina singer Alisah Bonaobra performed her version of hit song Listen.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, an industry insider said: “Using a clip of Nicole reacting to a different audition is not fair on the viewer.
“It leads them to believe the performance has gone down well with the panel, when in fact it may have been a complete flop.
“It’s even possible both reactions were faked.”
While ITV declined to comment, a show insider suggested: “It looks like this was an error in the editing.
“It doesn’t change the context at all, but they’ll be looking into ways to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Read more: X Factor couple get engaged at bootcamp
It’s not really the publicity the struggling talent show needs after it was revealed that Strictly Come Dancing held firm and beat it in the ratings again last night.
The two shows have overlapped for at least 45 minutes over the last two weeks, and X Factor has been the one to suffer for it.
The X Factor was hit by fix claims last weekend after an insider reportedly revealed everyone who makes it through to the latter stages of the competition has been handpicked by producers.
Although producers have said two thirds of the acts that go through are selected, an insider told The Daily Star Sunday that ALL of them are chosen.
Apparently groups of scouts spend the months when the show isn’t filming touring the country looking for singers to apply.
The source told the paper: “The whole point of X Factor is that it gives anyone the chance to make it.
“But this series, it’s like only ones cherry-picked by the show have got to judges’ houses.
“It will feel to some like the process is fixed in favour of the ones picked out by staff.”
An X Factor spokesperson has denied the claims, they said:
“It’s no secret, like many other TV talent shows, we approach people to make them aware of the auditions.
“Anyone who applies goes through the exact same process.
“All auditions are judged on the performance on the day.”