Simon Cowell is bracing himself for a backlash from his ‘X Factor’ colleagues over the ‘I Can’t Sing’ musical.
The 54-year-old music mogul is preparing himself for the reactions of his past and present colleagues over the way they’re portrayed in the stage show, which is based on the ITV talent competition.
Character Jordy – who is based on Cheryl Cole – is seen kissing a statue of the singer’s ex-husband and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole and is warned to "steer clear of professional footballers".
Meanwhile, ‘X Factor’ host Dermot O’Leary – depicted as the needy Liam O’Deary, who’s desperate to come across as cool and credible – has admitted that he won’t be going to see the West End show.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I’m not going to see it. What’s the point? It might look a bit odd if I was there. I’m sure it’s good fun."
Simon himself is also ridiculed in the play – which was written by Harry Hill – as he’s played by former ‘EastEnders’ star Nigel Harman, who sings: "When I was a young boy at school, the others would treat me so cruel. The bully would hide in a hedge, he would jump out and give me a wedgie."
The man behind the ‘X Factor’ claims he had no input in the script despite financially backing the project on which he’s listed as a co-producer.
He said previously: "The deal I made with Harry was, ‘I’m not going to change a word.’ "
Simon Cowell prepares for backlash over I Can’t Sing
