noelyf
VIP Member
Wednesday August 25 2010
Axed X Factor contestant Shirlena Johnson has hit out at the decision to drop her from the programme amid concerns over her mental health, it was reported.
TV bosses yesterday confirmed that she would not continue on the show in the interests of her welfare.
But speaking to the Daily Star, the singing hopeful insisted she was "not mentally ill" and that being kicked off The X Factor was "a complete catastrophe".
The wannabe popstar caused a stir during her first appearance on the hit ITV1 talent show on Saturday evening with an eccentric routine.
More than 12 million viewers saw Johnson, a single mother, get through to the boot-camp stage of The X Factor on Saturday night. She performed, in leopard skin leggings, a bizarre rendition of the Duffy track Mercy. But following the performance, concerns over the contestant's health were raised.
A spokesman for The X Factor said: "The welfare of contestants is of paramount importance, and for this reason it has been agreed that Shirlena Johnson should not continue in the competition."
But the hopeful hit back at the decision.
She told the Daily Star: "This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
In addition to being axed from The X Factor, Johnson was also given the chop from this year's Miss Great Britain contest, which she also entered.
She allegedly told organisers that she was 28 years old, below the cut-off point of 29. But on The X Factor she said she was 30.
Video on link below.
TechKings - Shirlena Johnson's X Factor Audition (Full Version) - itv.com/xfactor
