X Factor star hits out at Simon Cowell’s ‘selective storytelling’ over Liam Payne’s death

Former X Factor star Katie Waissel has hit out at Simon Cowell after he defended himself in a recent interview over the death of Liam Payne.

Waissel, who was on the same series as Payne and One Direction in 2010, has accused the music mogul, 66, of presenting a ‘distorted and incomplete account of the reality experienced by many’ contestants on The X Factor during his recent interview.

Cowell’s team do not accept the criticisms directed at him.

In recent years the treatment of young contestants on The X Factor has come under the microscope, with former stars of the show alleging their experiences were exploitative and damaging.

Waissel wrote in the wake of Payne’s death: ‘If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he