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FURIOUS X Factor star Louis Walsh yesterday accused Simon Cowell of destroying the careers of The Unconventionals after calling them "diabolical".

The six-piece group were voted off the show by Cowell in the live sing-off.

But Walsh, the band's mentor, said Simon crossed the line with his "smug" criticisms.

He fumed: "He has made a very big mistake.

"They had a lot more to give. They were not diabolical at all.

"They were very different. Simon crossed the line. It's done. But he has destroyed careers."

But Cowell hit back: "It's almost like Louis let them down. He's lost six people their careers."

Walsh, 54, also tore into Simon, 47, for eroding the confidence of the finalists, who were singing live on TV for the first time.

And he questioned Cowell's ability to spot and nurture talent, adding: "What's Simon ever done? Where are Gareth Gates, Michelle McManus and Steve Brookstein now?"

The first act to get booted from this year's X Factor have claimed that a lack of sob stories on their part contributed to their early exit.

Elizabeth Ewing, female vocalist with The Unconventionals, said: "We weren't relying on tragedies. We thought we didn't need to."

But bandmate Tom Newman reckoned that their failure to introduce the tear-jerk factor was their undoing.


He said: "You learn. It's about back stories and we've got enough sob stories to sink the Titanic. "

However, more impartial observers claimed that the main problem for the mixed six-piece may have been their departure from their usual format.

Judge, Simon Cowell described the band's performance of the Motown hit Dancing In The Streets as a "complete and utter mess".

Lead singer, Drew Jaymson said: "We just thought 'The live show is our chance to establish each one of us, as a band'.

"It turned out it was the wrong thing. I just wish somebody had told us."

The competition will see one act walk away with a life-changing record contract by Christmas.