Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell is not happy about mentoring the Over 25's ITV

Simon Cowell left audiences and his fellow judges shocked when he launched into an expletive laden tirade after being announced as the mentor to the Overs category. For the first time in the show's history, the judges were assigned their contestant groups based on a public vote. And the show's Mr Nasty could not hide his disappointment.

"Oh, f***! Are you winding me up?" he said to the shock of his fellow judges and the contestants. Screwing up his face in disgust, he stormed over to the hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs, demanding to see the results.

With confirmation that he will indeed be mentoring the Overs category he turned to the audience and said: "Thanks a lot, everyone." His strong reaction was met with boos from the audience and disappointment from the very people he will be supporting who commented that his response was "discouraging."

Commentators on social media couldn't help putting the boot in either, suggesting that it was a karmic response to Cowell always giving the least popular category to former co-star Louis Walsh. "Simon, you don't seem to be loving it now you have the overs? #spoketoosoon" said one viewer. "Funniest start to the show #Simon #ffs #peedoff" tweeted another.

In comparison, his fellow judges were much happier with their categories. Rita Ora was given what appears to be the strongest category as mentor to the Girls. Cheryl Fernandez-Versini brings her experience as a former member of a Girls Aloud to her role as mentor for the Groups while newbie judge Nick Grimshaw will be mentoring the Boys.

The first to take on the dreaded Six-Chair Challenge Rita too faced the wrath of the crowd as she whittled her auditionees to six ahead of judge's houses. As she swapped one hopeful singer for another, to the jeers of the crowd she said: "The crowd is crazy out there. I think I'm having a mini panic attack. Oh my God! I feel so sick. I can't do it. I actually can't do it."

Holding back tears, she added: "It's getting definitely intense. I'm probably the most hated person in the UK right now. It's so unfair. This is the hardest thing in the world – they hate me right now."

The Six-Chair Challenge was brought into the format in a bid to boost flagging ratings, but is widely regarded as brutal and intended to provoke controversy.

The new series has already faced criticism after new judge Nick Grimshaw, who was brought in as a replacement for Louis Walsh was dubbed boring by the public. The 63-year-old was sensationally axed after an 11 year run as judge and mentor as the show underwent a dramatic shake-up. He has hinted that he may return to the show as a fifth judge.

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