Chico to leave X Factor?

Everybody's favourite goatherd-turned-stripper Chico Slimani could quit the X Factor after a comment from Sharon Osbourne, the Daily Star reports.

16:00 22 October 2005

Everybody's favourite goatherd-turned-stripper Chico Slimani could quit the X Factor after a crisis of confidence, the Daily Star reports.

The 34-year-old has down in the dumps since he came close to being axed from the popular show last Saturday and judge Sharon Osbourne spoke of her plans to "bin Chico".

"Sharon's comments were devastating for Chico and made him seriously consider if he wants to carry on," a show source told the Daily Star.

"She called him up the next day to explain that her words were taken out of context, but it has taken a lot to stop him from walking away.

"If he is in the bottom two again he may even walk off before he gets the bad news."

Perhaps Chico has forgotten the sob story he earlier told the Daily Star: "I haven't paid the mortgage. I have to get far in this show otherwise I won't have a home."

Chin up, Chico - just think of the money.