Cowell's Church warning

TV

13:30 19 October 2006

Simon Cowell has warned the 'X factor' hopefuls not to end up like Charlotte Church.

The talent show judge said he was considering dropping the age limit for auditioning for the show to 12, but said he didn't want to end up with a load of Charlotte Church wannabes.

The Welsh singer shot to fame at the tender age with her breakthrough album 'Voice of an Angel', which showcased her phenomenal operatic voice.

Cowell, 47, said: "I'm beginning to think whether we should be dropping the age now. But I don't want six Charlotte Churches. I don't want them on chat shows swearing at the age of 20 in a few years' time.

"I can't bear all that. In fact, I'm almost thinking about sending each of this year's contestants a poster of Charlotte Church with a big cross on it - 'Don't go there!'"

The music mogul has also blasted Church for abandoning her pop career to present a Channel 4 chat show.

Cowell, famously dubbed 'Mr Nasty' because of his cruel jibes, insists the 'Crazy Chick' singer has wasted her talent.

She said: "This was a girl who could have been a massive operatic star for the next few years, because she's really talented.

"To me, it appears as if she's thrown it all away for this different career. She's crazy."

(C) BANG Media International