X Factor 2014 final 12 told to be like One Direction and Olly Murs

X Factor boss Simon Cowell has told this year’s finalists to copy the success of Olly Murs and One Direction if they want to win votes.

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The music mogul claimed that contestants shouldn’t be false and to not be “puppets” for their mentors.

“The audience can work out if you just want to be famous,” Simon warned this week. “If you’re real and truthful, you shouldn’t be afraid of that, don’t put on a TV persona.

“Two artists who got it right were 1D and Olly Murs — they showed exactly who they were.”

Speaking to his Overs category acts Jay James, Ben Haenow and Fleur East, Simon continued: “Don’t be a puppet. If you choose the wrong song, you’re out.

“You all have a real hectic workload but find an hour a day searching for ideas — you need to do that.

“Just work far ahead. Think about 1D and Olly — they were as tired as you’ll be.”

And in a bit of tough love, Simon also slammed his acts for their poor performances at judges’ houses last weekend.

According to The Sun newspaper, he told them:“You have to be invested in the song and I could see at Judges’ Houses you weren’t all invested.”

“The one person who nailed it at Judges’ Houses better than anyone was Fleur.”

The X Factor continues Saturday and Sunday on ITV with the live shows.