‘X Factor’ presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack have been hit with a social media ban to stop them from reading negative comments about themselves online, according to reports.
READ MORE:
Since taking over from Dermot O’Leary as hosts of the ITV singing contest, the pair have received mixed reviews from viewers, particularly since Olly Murs made headlines with his live TV blunder two weekends ago.
It has now been claimed that bosses have stepped in, urging them to keep away from social media while the show is being filmed, to stop them from being upset by negative tweets.
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack
An insider told The Mirror: “[Simon] Cowell wants Olly and Caroline to focus on the task at hand. He told Olly he has his complete support, as he wants to boost his confidence.
“Reading negative comments is not going to do anything except make them feel more nervous, so he has told them to leave their phones until after the show.”
Last week, Caroline hit back when she was bombarded with cruel tweets about her appearance, while Olly has admitted that Twitter comments about his live gaffe did get to him.
Opening to Alan Carr on ‘Chatty Man’, he admits: “I went on Twitter for two seconds and threw my phone. I got a massive crack. But you can't listen to that rubbish.”
Simon Cowell recently stuck up for Olly, amid the backlash, insisting: “Anyone in that situation is going to screw up. I think the way he handled it was great, it’s part of his charm.
“I think every week he’s getting better and better. People have got to get used to it but he’s got a massive future ahead of him... 100 percent he’s still got my support.”