The X Factor judges and host Dermot O'leary were left stunned during auditions in Cardiff on Monday when an angry contestant unleashed an angry tirade and hit a producer after she was rejected from the show.
Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Nicole Scherzinger were on hand to judge the Welsh talent but they were less than impressed with Pink tribute act Zoe Alexander, branding her performance "average".
Blonde singer Zoe stormed off before returning with her dad - and they both slammed the panel for their verdict.
But things got serious when Zoe pushed a camera out of her way and kicked scenery - before hitting a producer as she was being escorted out.
And an insider revealed to The Sun: "Tulisa looked amazed, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was startled by it all. The producer was really shocked and was standing there holding her face in her hands."
The victim needed medical assistance after her nose was injured, and Zoe has now issued an apology for the incident.
She told The Mirror: "I lost it and said they were a bunch of c**ts. I want to apologise to the judges and to the audience - but they set me up to humiliate me."
Her dad Glen Smith added: "They wanted a girl with attitude and that's what they got. They even chose the song for her but then the judges all gave her a 'no'.
"They shattered a young girl's dreams of being a star all for the sake of reviving the flagging viewing figures."
A spokesperson for the show insisted: "Her claims are ridiculous. She was treated like any other contestant and she kicked off.
We even gave her a second song to sing. The judges all agreed not to put her through."
Police were called after the drama, but Zoe has not been charged.
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