5 November 2005
Mirror
By Fiona Cummins
THE X Factor hopefuls were sent home for a "reality check" after being blasted for giving the judges too much lip.
Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh were stunned by the back-chat on last week's show.
Worried their wannabe stars are becoming "arrogant and defensive", the singers were all sent home on Thursday night to remind them they have not hit the big time yet.
TV bosses now fear the show could become the "flop factor" unless attitudes improve.
A TV insider said: "The judges are worried they have lost focus. There have only been three live shows so far so it's a bit early for backchat. They come across as arrogant."
