Axed X Factor tearaway Frankie Cocozza will be replaced by one of the show’s rejected acts.
The college drop-out yesterday returned home unrepentant after being ejected for boasting about taking cocaine.
Show bosses said the four X Factor contestants who were dropped in the first live show will now vie to re-enter the competition in his place.
They each exited without facing a public vote after their own mentors were forced to choose who they should sacrifice.
The public will be able to decide via a phone vote whether James Michael, Amelia Lily, 2 Shoes or Jonjo Kerr should get a second chance alongside the six remaining acts in the competition.
X Factor bosses will confirm the details of how the vote will be run today. But it may leave the show open to criticism that it is cashing in on Cocozza’s departure if it starts charging for another vote on top of the normal one.
An X Factor spokesman said: ‘The four acts have never been in a public vote so, with Frankie leaving the competition, this is an opportunity for the public to decide who comes back to the show.’
Cocozza arrived back at his family home in Brighton yesterday with a minder provided by the X Factor in tow. However, he offered no apology for his antics.
After his third change of outfit of the day, the 18-year-old left home at 6.30pm, looking as though he was planning on another evening of partying.
He is still under contract with show producers TalkbackThames and Syco as all contestants sign a six-month deal that prevents them from signing up with any other management.
Nevertheless, as he returned to the care of his mother, dinner lady Tina Pynn, his step-father Mick Pollard hit out at X Factor bosses.
He said: ‘I think Frankie has been handled badly by everyone.’
His demise came after he met Becca Hills and Katherine Holland, both 19, at London nightclub Funky Buddha and then went to a West London house with them.
He later admitted to X Factor production staff that he had taken cocaine during his night of partying – causing his shock firing on Tuesday.
There is no suggestion the young women had anything to do with any drug-taking.
Last night they were together once more at Miss Holland’s parents’ home in Ashford, Kent.
Miss Holland works as a sales assistant selling Calvin Klein underwear while studying for a degree in graphic design at the University of Kent.
She said yesterday: ‘We feel sorry for Frankie after everything that’s happened to him on the X Factor.
