thisisKent
15:00 - 07 October 2005
Famous for pouring merciless scorn over budding pop idols, it appears X Factor's Simon Cowell was handed an equally sneering judgment during filming in the Weald.
An episode of Saturday night ITV programme X Factor, in which excitable and somewhat delusional wannabe pop stars try to impress judges including Mr Cowell by auditioning for a big recording contract, was recently filmed at the spectacular Bayham Hall near Lamberhurst.
The historic, elegant setting was used for a boot camp but unlike the weekly millions of viewers, neighbours were not amused by Mr Cowell putting contestants through their paces.
The judge had parked his Bentley outside the front of the hall and drew accusations of "ruining the view".
Angry residents were so perturbed they took swift action and plastered notes all over the £150,000 car, instructing him to "get out of town".
Mr Cowell, known to the tabloids as Mr Nasty, refused to park anywhere else, leading to what the red-tops reported was a row which almost scuppered a deal between the show and Bayham Hall.
But owner Jamie Cook, who owns the property with husband Justin, told the Kent and Sussex Courier: "There were a few unhappy neighbours, but it was not such a big deal."
