Tuesday, 30 September 2008

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The X Factor's Amy Connolly slams 'insensitive' Dermot O'Leary

Contestant hurt by his 'dead relative' remark

Dermot O’Leary has a show on Radio 2

X Factor hopeful Amy Connolly has criticised Dermot O’Leary for comments he made on ITV2 panel show Celebrity Juice.

The presenter joked: 'I don't care what your dream is. I don't care what you want to sing. And I don't care about your dead relative.'

Amy, whose mum died when she was six, says Dermot's remarks, although not aimed at her, were insensitive.

‘How can this man who has supported me from day one say something like that?' she tells the Daily Record.

'What he said is not harmless. I can understand it was a gag, but it’s heartless.’

Dermot, 35, who is hosting his second series of The X Factor, apologised in a statement.

‘The banter with the panel of Celebrity Juice was about me having a night off,' he said.

'And I would be mortified if a harmless gag was taken out of context.

‘Most of us have suffered from bereavement and it is something I’d never make light of.’

Amy, 19, was reached the final 24 at the weekend.

SEE VIDEO Amy Connolly’s first audition on The X Factor…

Holly Arnold