Simon Cowell 'Not Making Plans For Maloney'

Simon Cowellis reported to have been making plans for the future careers of Jahmene Douglas and James Arthur- but not for Christopher Maloney.

The Mirror reports show judge Louis Walsh as revealing that SiCo had not mentioned controversial Maloney, 34, in a phone chat.

"Simon is in America working his own show," Louis said.

"I spoke to him this week and I know he loves James and Jahmene but I don't remember him talking about Chris, no."

And Walsh, 60, continued to belittle the Liverpudlian former cruise ship singer.

"Chris, who is Chris? Oh he is still there, the Liverpool guy. He has got a nan there.

"He is a good singer, but I don't think he is a star. He is like Tony Christie. He is a great singer but he is not Tom Jones.

"Last week in the semi final on his first song he was good, especially if you close your eyes.

"But then I opened them – and he was there! Then when he did the Michael Buble song he was back to Chris the karaoke singer or cruise ship singer."

And the bookies appear to agree with Louis for once, because Jahmene and James have been made joint favourites to win this year's contest at 5/4 by Paddy Power. Maloney is lagging behind on much more generous odds of 7/2.

Meanwhile, Chris has rejected comparisons to Steve Brookstein - the first X Factor winner.

He told The Sun: "You're joking aren't you? He's got his own talent and does his own thing, but I'm completely different."

And responding to suggestions that SiCo isn't keen on him, he replied: "Simon does what he wants to do. It's his show and if he didn't want me in it I probably wouldn't be here."

Rita Ora and Kelly Clarkson were yesterday revealed as the final big-name acts for the weekend.

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