X Factor scandals seem to be a regular occurrence now, and this week we have another one.

It seems that girl group ‘Husstle’ were “guaranteed” a place in the live finals last year. It is alleged that group member Stacey Camps was instructed to turn down a solo contract on the basis that the group would be launched to the world via the X Factor – and that a place in the final 12 was guaranteed.

X Factor producers are yet to comment.

We reported earlier this week on the controversy surrounding the use of auto-tune on X Factor. Now Simon Cowell has responded to the controversy, ordering producers to stop using it and instead only to play the originally recorded auditions.

A spokesman for the show said: “The integrity of the show is very important to him and so he told production that Auto-tune cannot be used again.”

30 year old Shirlena Johnson, who would have been a finalist in this year’s X Factor, has been removed from the competition because of serious mental health problems.

Shirlena stunned viewers with a unique performance of Duffy’s “Mercy” last Saturday, and subsequently made it through boot camp. Producers now have to make a decision on whether to remove footage of her from the show.

“I’m devastated. It’s heartbreaking,” Simon Cowell said of the situation. “I really feel for her. I’m very upset and disappointed. The advice I’m given is she can’t do the show. If we don’t take the advice we’re irresponsible.”

X Factor is back, and the controversy is starting early this year! Thousands of fans are complaining on twitter that the producers are using auto-tune, a tool to make singing sound in key even when it’s not, on certain ‘favoured’ auditions.

In particular, the accusations are being made 18 year old Gamu Nhengu’s performance was digitally altered in post-production to make her sound better to the viewers at home than she really did. Gamu sang Walking On Sunshine at the Glasgow auditions, and made it through to the next round with great comments from the judges.

It is suggested that similar work was done to the audition of group G and S. The group also made it through to the next round.

The show’s producers replied to the criticism, saying:

“The judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena,”

“When it gets to the live shows, it will be all live.”