Kayleigh Taylor, an X-Factor contestant who became an overnight sensation thanks to her stunning performance, once sent a barrage of racist messages to a former schoolmate
An X-Factor contestant who became an overnight sensation thanks to her stunning performance once sent a barrage of racist messages to a former schoolmate, it has been revealed.
Kayleigh Taylor, 27, from Liverpool, wowed Simon Cowell and the judges last week with an emotional rendition of My Immortal by US rock band Evanescence.
But it has now been revealed she verbally attacked an old friend by calling her a ‘p***’ and a ‘s***’ in the messages from 2010.
She also said: ‘You always stunk of curry’ and told her estranged pal ‘go back to your own country,’ according to the Liverpool Echo.
Ms Taylor today posted on social media about the controversy: ‘So apparently am in all the newspapers tomorrow cause I called someone a p*** in 2010 I admit it was wrong but the girl who I called it to bullied me None stop in school and am far from a racist my daughters dad is back [sic] god people these days.’
A statement released on behalf of Kayleigh said: ‘This is disgusting language which there is no excuse for. I shouldn’t have used it and I wholeheartedly apologise for using it.
‘This argument took place seven years ago. I have admitted I have made mistakes in the past – and a lot of them – and I am now trying to better my life and be a better person’.
A source told MailOnline that Ms Taylor left the show before the bootcamp stage.
The former chip-shop worker got the thumbs-up from all four judges with her emotional performance on the show.
It has now been revealed she verbally attacked an old friend by calling her a ‘p***’ and a ‘s***’ in the messages from 2010
Moments before she took to the stage, she joked about her weight, and even admitted that she looked like ‘Vicky Pollard’.
She added: ‘I had a job a couple of years ago in a fish-and-chip shop because obviously I like my food.’
Ms Taylor also admitted to having a soft spot for 57-year-old Cowell – by showing him a tattoo of his name on her lower back, the result of a drunken night out in Magaluf.
Judge Sharon Osbourne heaped praise on the singer, but told her it was time to stop apologising for her size. ‘Stop all the crap about the weight – it doesn’t matter,’ Ms Osbourne said. ‘It’s who you are.’
Ms Taylor posted on social media about the controversy: ‘So apparently am in all the newspapers tomorrow cause I called someone a p*** in 2010’
Fans immediately declared their love for the Scouser: ‘This Kayleigh on X Factor is my HERO… You’re killing meeee yes girl! I am so proud and idek the woman…
‘Kayleigh on the X factor is already my favourite contestant of all time… Kayleigh to win X factor…
‘Kayleigh from Liverpool on X Factor is different class. What a voice and what a character. Superb.’
This is not Ms Taylor’s first time on television, however. She once appeared on the Jeremy Kyle Show when she was accused of stealing her father’s mobile phone
Kayleigh’s audition even caught the attention of One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, who labelled her a ‘legend’.
This is not Ms Taylor’s first time on television, however. She once appeared on the Jeremy Kyle Show when she was accused of stealing her father’s mobile phone.
MailOnline has contacted an X-Factor spokesman for comment.