The X Factor’ has been hit with more controversy after one of its contestants, Tom Bleasby, sensationally quit the talent show on Sunday night as scenes were broadcast of him being axed, only to be restored as the crowd reacted negatively to his departure.

The 19 year old from Leeds, who was being mentored by new judge Nick Grimshaw, was shown being replaced during the ‘six chair challenge’ on Sunday night’s show (October 11th). Though he ended up making the cut, Bleasby tweeted “You are literally watching on TV the worst experience of my life” as it was being broadcast.

Sources say that Bleasby told producers on Friday that he didn’t feel confident that he could cope with the pressure of the competition, with one telling the Mirror: “he didn't think he could progress vocally and in terms of his confidence.”

Nick GrimshawNick Grimshaw's contestant Tom Bleasby quit 'The X Factor'

On Monday, a spokesman for the ITV show, which continues to be surrounded with stories of woe with ratings still behind its main competitor ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, saying: “We can confirm that Tom Bleasby has chosen to withdraw from the competition due to personal reasons.”

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Tom said in a statement later on the same day: “Due to personal reasons I have decided to withdraw from The X Factor. Thank you to all the judges, especially Nick for his belief in me. I want to wish all the contestants the best of luck and thank you to the public for supporting me and my dream.”

Bleasby has not gone into any more specific details about his decision, but it comes despite his successful advancement to the last six of the boys’ category of the programme, having been taken under the wing of Radio 1 DJ Grimshaw. As to what will happen to the now-vacant space at Grimshaw’s house, ITV has said that it will make an announcement by the end of the week.

He later added via his Facebook page: “Make no mistake about it. I’m not stopping singing, the ‘X Factor’ is just one path… one that wasn’t right for me. I will make music.”

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