Blink and you'll miss her: The X Factor bosses gloss over contestant Sian Phillips' axing over criminal past

By Andrea Magrath


Axed: Sian Phillips' exit from the X Factor, after her US visa was refused, was glossed over on tonight's show


X Factor producers glossed over the axing of popular contestant Sian Phillips in tonight's judges houses round of auditions.

The 24-year-old Liverpudlian was invited to audition at Kelly Rowland's home in Miami in the girls' category, but was denied a visa because of her criminal past.

She was swiftly replaced by 17-year-old Sarah Watson, who said her last-minute inclusion was 'still sinking in' as she sat on the beach in Florida in tonight's episode.

Last-minute replacement: 17-year-old Sarah Watson has stepped into the girls' category in Sian's place

The X Factor brushed over Sian's removal as they introduced the female contestants, simply saying that she wasn't able to continue in the competition, before introducing Miss Watson.

It was revealed last month that Miss Phillips was jailed for affray in May 2009, serving 10 days of a two-month sentence for a fight.

An excited Sian told X Factor cameras after being put through to the next round that it was 'the best thing to ever happen to me ... ever, ever, ever.

Big chance: Sarah was able to perform for judge Kelly Rowland and her helper Jennifer Hudson in Miami

Final eight: Sarah, third left, joined the other girl contestants (L-R) Holly, Melanie, Misha, Amelia, Janet, Sophie and Jade

But her joy was short lived when US authorities refused her visa application.

'I was so happy to get through Boot Camp and then absolutely gutted when I couldn’t get a visa,' she said.

'I’m planning to re-enter next year because it wasn’t my singing which held me back. My life’s back on track now and I’ve put my past behind me.'

Speaking to the Sun last month, she said: 'I'd lost my home and come out of a relationship and I went off the rails.'

'I'd never been in trouble with the police and it was the shock I needed to get my life back on track.'

Positive: Sian says that she plans 'to re-enter next year because it wasn’t my singing which held me back'


source:dailymail