X Factor blow as Simon Cowell misses second live show

SIMON COWELL missed The X Factor again last night after his fall down a flight of stairs.
Missing in action for a second consecutive evening, he was replaced at the last minute by guest judge Alesha Dixon, 39.
A source confirmed that the 58-year-old was still recovering and had been told to ‘rest up under doctor’s advice’ following the tumble at his London home on Friday. Cowell — said to have been fetching some hot milk — was pictured being taken to hospital on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace. He was discharged later that day.
His absence during Saturday’s first live show may have cost the ITV show in ratings. Strictly’s Halloween special doubled the viewing figures of its rival with a peak of 11.7million against The X Factor’s high of 5.9million.
TV chef Simon Rimmer, dancing in a Sweeney Todd routine, became the fifth celebrity to leave Strictly.

He thanked partner Karen Clifton for convincing ‘this lumbering 54-year-old’ that he could dance.
Author: Tom Stichbury