Axed X Factor contestant blames illness for departure

X Factor contestant Freddy Parker has blamed a nasty cold for his departure from the competition on Sunday night (October 16).

The 18-year-old Boys contestant revealed on Lorraine on Monday that he had been suffering from a bug all week and had to be put on voice rest while competitors were practicing.

He said: “I was on voice rest, out of all the contestants, I was on voice rest the most and I did feel like it kind of had a negative impact on my experience because I just couldn’t speak to anyone. I’m such talkative person so having to hold my voice … I was so upset.”

Before the show, the singer was apparently desperately trying to clear his airways with tried and tested natural methods, such as steaming, honey and ginger.

He said: “It was so funny, I went around with my steamer, my honey and lemon and ginger in hot water, I must’ve drunk 10 gallons of honey and lemon and water.”

Despite performing first on the Saturday night edition of X Factor, Freddy’s rendition of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” did not do enough to impress the judges – nor apparently the viewers at home.

He joined Over 25s singer Saara Aalto in the sing-off on Sunday, where he sang Rihanna’s “Stay”. Freddy’s mentor Nicole chose to save him, as did Simon, however he was sent home after Sharon and Louis chose to save Saara and the vote went to deadlock.

Despite his exit from the singing competition, Freddy took to Twitter after the decision to thank supporters and The X Factor for “the time of my life”.

The X Factor continues on Saturday on ITV at 8pm.