Simon Cowell has appeared to take a thinly veiled dig at I’m A Celebrity’s Fleur East.
During the X Factor live show on Saturday, the music mogul made shady comments about former contestants jetting off to the jungle instead of focusing on their music careers.
Simon offered praise for finalist Scarlett Lee’s rendition of Your Song by Elton John, congratulating her on being offered a gig with Robbie Williams at the BST Hyde Park in 2019.
But fans have interpreted what he said next as a clear shot at Fleur East, who was a runner-up on the show in 2014.
Simon told Scarlett: “This weekend could change your life. I don’t want you in the jungle in two years’ time drinking worm juice. I want you either on Broadway, West End, selling records.
“You got a big duet to come Scarlett this could change your life babe.”
Read more: Simon Cowell reportedly changes The X Factor final at the last minute
If there was any doubt over whether or not Simon was commenting on Fleur East’s decision to appear on I’m A Celebrity this year, X Factor host Dermot O’Leary all but confirmed it.
Dermot said: “Firstly, you’ve just got your first gig supporting Robbie.
“Secondly, it’s a good point Simon makes. You know he doesn’t want you in two years’ time on I’m A Celebrity. He wants you singing and doing well.”
Fans quickly took to Twitter to offer their perspective on Simon’s comments.
One user seemed to think there’s “no hope” for Scarlett if Fleur can’t make it as a singer.
https://twitter.com/FayDean85/status/1068980054649176067
Others appeared to be on Simon’s side, Tweeting that his comments “made my night” and labelling Fleur a “one hit wonder”.
#xfactor simon shading fleur just made my night
— VICTORIA FARKANSI (@dizzyonhs) December 1, 2018
One hit wonder Fleur East finally got the shade she deserved and I’m here for it 😅#xfactor #Sax #ImACeleb
— Tim B (@Reality_Tim) December 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/AlonaBilunka/status/1069010054949552128
Another viewer stepped in to say Simon’s comment was completely uncalled for.
Why did Simon dig at Fleur East being in the jungle though? Was there really a need for it? Not only that, but #ImACeleb is basically the #XFactor sister show? That was throwing complete shade and it was uncalled for 🤷♀️ #xfactorfinal
— Rebekka-Mary Darling (@RebekkaMary) December 1, 2018
Read more: Fleur East ‘starving herself’ to prepare for I’m A Celeb jungle
Fleur East, 31, appeared on X Factor in 2005 and again in 2014, when she became the first contestant to reach the top spot in the UK iTunes Store during the competition with her rendition of Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.
She signed to Simon’s Syco Music label in 2015 and released her debut album, Love, Sax and Flashbacks.
But in October last year it was revealed that Fleur and Syco had mutually agreed to part ways.
Do you think Fleur made the right decision to go on I’m A Celebrity? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.