Cowell Upset As Talent Show Girl Is Axed Over Metal Health Worries

Music mogul and talent king SIMON COWELL has been left “devastated” after producers of his hit TV show THE X FACTOR were forced to axe a contestant over concerns for her mental health.

Shirlena Johnson, 30, stunned British TV viewers on Saturday night (21Aug10) with her bizarre, chanting rendition of Duffy’s hit Mercy, and Cowell was suitably impressed, calling the singer “fantastically nuts”.

But the single mum was cut from the show after losses launched an investigation into claims she suffers from mental health issues, and Cowell admits he’s upset that Johnson is no longer in the contest.

He tells The Sun newspaper, “I’m devastated. It’s heartbreaking. I really feel for her. I’m very upset and disappointed. The advice I’m given is she can’t do the show. But there’s another argument that we’re depriving her of the chance to make some money.

“Even if she didn’t win, she could have picked up money for personal appearances. On the other hand, if we don’t take the advice we’re irresponsible.”

Cowell quit as a judge on American Idol in May (10) and is now planning to take his X Factor show to America.