X Factor winner fires back at Simon Cowell amid ITV show feud: 'nasty people'

Mr Brookstein, who won the first series of The X Factor in 2004, responded to a viral clip from the podcast, hosted by Richard Osman and Marina Hyde.

During the discussion, Ms Hyde questioned Mr Cowell about former contestants “almost unionising”, referencing Ms Waissel’s legal training and her allegations of exploitation.

Mr Cowell responded: “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, any artist is. The vast majority of people who came on the show made a lot of money and got what they wanted, which was fame.”

Mr Brookstein later took to X, writing: “I don’t want to be triggered by Simon Cowell. After 20 years, I am still trying to put this behind me.”

The singer added that his motivation for entering the competition was never fame, but a love of music and the hope of a better life.

“Anyone who saw me on the show knows I wasn’t in it for fame,” he said. “I didn’t sign up to be vilified..."

His comments prompted an outpouring of support from fans, many of whom referenced the treatment he received during the live final of the show.

One supporter wrote: “I remember you winning it and that attack by Sharon Osbourne on your character was just awful.”

Another fan said Ms Osbourne’s behaviour “didn’t even touch what else happened”, adding that they hoped Mr Brookstein had support while Mr Cowell was “back on the media rounds”.

During the 2004 grand final, Ms Osbourne launched an unprovoked verbal attack on Brookstein live on air, branding him “fake”, “full of crap” and an “average singer” in front of an audience of around nine million viewers.

The X Factor judge later admitted in her autobiography that she had “lost it” during rehearsals and deliberately decided to criticise him publicly.

She subsequently acknowledged she had “taken it too far”, describing the incident as “professional hara-kiri”.

Mr Brookstein responded to a fan who referenced Sharon Osbourne’s treatment of him by writing: “Hit me harder than I first thought. Nasty people.”

Mr Cowell’s latest podcast appearance forms part of a wider press tour promoting his new Netflix docuseries, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which launched on December 10, 2025.

The tour centres on the debut of his new seven-member boyband, December 10, also known as D10, named after the programme’s premiere date.

Mr Brookstein has alleged that a coordinated media backlash followed his victory, claiming a “media hate campaign” damaged his career and credibility.

He has repeatedly criticised what he describes as a power imbalance between contestants and those running the show.

His comments come as Ms Waissel continues to speak out against Mr Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment.

Ms Waissel, who appeared on The X Factor in 2010, has accused the firm of coercion and failing in its duty of care, claims Cowell has rejected.

Responding to Mr Cowell’s recent assertion that former contestants “have it in for me”, Ms Waissel said performers did not understand what they were signing up to.

“That is not choice. That is coercion,” she said, alleging a lack of independent legal advice and systemic safeguarding failures.

Several other former contestants, including Cher Lloyd, Jade Thirlwall and Rebecca Ferguson, have also criticised their treatment on the show and its aftermath.

The debate intensified following the death of Liam Payne in October 2024, with Waissel describing it as a “painful reminder of systemic neglect” in the music industry.

Mr Cowell has denied wrongdoing and said contestants knew what they were signing up for, while acknowledging that consent may not have been fully understood in earlier years.

Mr Cowell has been contacted for a response.