Mobile happy slapper finalist dropped from X Factor

X-Factor, the UK equivalent of American Idol, has been taking a beating in the TV ratings from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

So it was conveniently useful for the X-Factor producers to be able to cram the airwaves full of shocked-and-saddened-from-Surrey style news about one of the finalists, a day prior to the show. Maybe that would have a ratings effect. Who knows. I sat and glanced now and again at the celebrities of Strictly Come Dancing waltzing round a ballroom whilst I installed Mac OS X Leopard on my laptop. Such is the high octane life of the mobile blogger.

Here’s the cause of the uproar, anyway:

Link: X Factor finalist Emily Nakanda forced to quit over ‘happy slap’ attack – Times Online

One of the finalists in the X Factor television talent show has been forced to quit after she was caught on video assaulting another girl.

Emily Nakanda, 15, is seen grabbing the girl’s hair and throwing her to the ground before punching and kicking her.

The contestant withdrew from the show today after producers were alerted to the video by a national newspaper.

Mobile phones are everywhere; most of them have cameras. If you’re going to put yourself forward as a possible popstar, it’s always useful to avoid participating in (recorded) happy slapper sessions.