X Factor apology after Frankie Cocozza drops the F-word on live show

By BEN DOWELL


Foul-mouthed: Finalist Frankie Cocozza, 18, swore on Sunday night's X Factor results show

The X Factor was forced to apologise after heartthrob contestant Frankie Cocozza swore on the live broadcast well before the 9pm watershed.

The teenage wannabe uttered the expletive towards the end of Sunday night’s results show when he was told he was through to another week in the ITV talent competition.

As Sami Brookes and Kitty Brucknell were left in the bottom two, tousle-haired Cocozza, 18, jumped around the stage before embracing his mentor, Gary Barlow, and yelling: 'F*****g have it, get in there.'

Turning the air blue: Cocozza fist-pumped the air as he yelled the expletive

Although his language was picked up by fans across the Internet and on Twitter, there was no apology from host Dermot O’Leary or from the ITV announcer following the live one-hour show which finished at 9pm.

The student from Brighton, who has flaunted tattoos of his alleged conquests etched on his bottom, later gave a grudging apology for his outburst on the ITV2 spin-off show the Xtra Factor.

He said 'sorry’ when reminded of his swearing by the show’s host Olly Murs.
An X Factor spokeswoman told the Daily Mail: 'Emotions were running high during the live show and we apologise if any potentially offensive language was audible.

Relief: The 18-year-old was clearly thrilled after being voted through to next week's show

'All the contestants are reminded of their responsibilities regarding language on the live shows.'

An ITV source said Cocozza, whose wild antics which include late-night partying during the show’s run, will be given a stern warning for his language.

According to ITV sources, the broadcaster did not make an immediate on-air apology because bosses thought the swearing wasn’t clearly audible.

Rude gesture: Cocozza also stuck his finger up at cameras during a VT on Saturday night's episode

But by yesterday afternoon ITV had received 20 complaints about the swearing.

Viewers were quick to rebuke Cocozza, with Michael Vaughan tweeting: ‘Frankie Cocozza swearing on live TV in front of millions of families #notcool #xfactor .’

While Tegan Cornish added: ‘Frankie Cocozza swearing on the X Factor! Tut tut tut.'

Honest: Cocozza admitted he was the 'weakest singer' in the X Factor on Twitter

And Frankee Brooks said: ‘What a disgrace Frankie Cocozza is! I’m ashamed to be called Frankee! He should be kicked out swearing like that! Role model! I think not!'

Cocozza had already come under fire for a lacklustre performance of Primal Scream’s Get Your Rocks Off on Saturday’s rock-themed show.

Lily Allen was among those criticising his performance. She wrote: “Oh God Frankie Cocozza, noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.’

But the youngster thanked the audience for booing him, saying: ‘Thank-you for the boos, it’s going to make me do better.’

Just friends? Cocozza and former X Factor contestant Amelia Lily were spotted chatting after Sunday's live show

The hopeful has claimed to have lost his virginity at the age of 12 and to have slept with more than 60 women in the intervening six years, adding that he doesn’t remember most of their names.

The teenager has also styled himself as the bad boy among the show’s remaining contestants, with his trademark messy hairstyle and skinny jeans.

However he has failed to totally endear himself to the British public after being left in the bottom two last week.

Despite the high octane nature of the live X Factor shows, overt swearing is extremely rare.

Rock 'n' roll: Cocozza managed to survive until next week, despite being in the bottom two a week ago

In 2008 judge Louis Walsh was thought to have told a singer that she was ‘so f***g amazin’ it was later claimed that he said she was 'soulful and amazing'.

Last year’s final was blighted when the winner singer Matt Cardle was announced and runner up Harry Styles from the band One Direction appeared to whisper a profanity in his ear.

Meanwhile, Louis Walsh yesterday hit back at reports he was set to be axed from the X Factor.

He had been forced to apologise for calling contestant Misha Bryan a bully on Saturday’s show.

But he revealed show supremo Simon Cowell had texted him to say: ‘I give you my word your job is safe.’

On Sunday night, 300,000 fewer viewers tuned in for the results show than watched a week earlier.



source:dailymail