Simon Cowell gave his ‘X Factor’ judges a "serious" pep talk – while Rita Ora was dressed as a banana.
The music mogul called his fellow panellists to his dressing room to discuss the programme after the Halloween episode, and the mood of their intense discussions was lightened by the ‘R.I.P.’ hitmaker’s fancy dress outfit.
Judge Nick Grimshaw recalled: "We went in his dressing room after the show. It was Halloween and we were all going out afterwards. No one had a costume except Rita, who was going as Bananas in Pyjamas.
"We went in there and it was really funny for a minute, but then Simon was talking really seriously about moving forward with the show. And Rita was standing there dressed as a banana, nodding, trying to be really serious."
Despite apparent concern over falling ratings, Nick insists nothing has been discussed with him about it.
He said: "Simon deals with that with the boss people. I think we just concentrate on the show and making it fun. It genuinely is so much fun. It’s a riot."
The BBC Radio 1 DJ is having a particularly good time on the judging panel now it has moved to the live finals stage.
He told heat magazine: "I love doing live – I do it every day on the radio. I love it more than auditions – they’re such a long day and you do get distracted.
"I like the added pressure of it being live and knowing we only have a certain amount of time."
Simon Cowell gave X Factor judges ‘pep talk’
