Gary Barlow has said that he is "hugely disappointed" following Frankie Cocozza's exit from The X Factor.
The head of this year's judging panel issued an official statement after Cocozza's departure was confirmed earlier today.
Gary Barlow has said that he is "hugely disappointed" following Frankie Cocozza's exit from The X Factor.
The head of this year's judging panel issued an official statement after Cocozza's departure was confirmed earlier today.
Barlow said: "Frankie has apologised publicly as well as personally to me and the producers for his actions that led to him leaving the show.
"I'm hugely disappointed that he's thrown away an opportunity like this after working so hard to get here. I'm sorry to see him go as we've been through a lot together in such a short time."
He added: "I hope Frankie continues to look to me as a friend and supporter and works it all out, picks himself up and somehow tries to turn this into a positive."
Barlow had repeatedly backed Cocozza despite sustained criticism from other judges on The X Factor panel in recent weeks.
Following Cocozza's performance of with Black Eyed Peas 'I Gotta Feeling', Louis Walsh said: " You're not a rock star, you'll never be a rock star, and the only thing big about you is your hair."
Barlow admitted that Cocozza seemed "defeated" on last weekend's show, but added that he was "really pleased" he would get the chance to perform again with a better song choice.
Xtra Factor host Olly Murs described Cocozza's axing as "incredible" on hearing the news on live radio and suggested that he will soon find out the reason why he had to go.
Former X Factor winner Steve Brookstein has suggested that Cocozza's continued presence in the contest gave the show a "bad image" and was "damaging the brand".
