Chico Slimani
Song: If I Ever Fall In Love   (Shai  )

Cheeky Chico Slimani enters the audition room with a smile, a wink to Sharon, a sexy spin and a promise that he is what we have been waiting for.

Simon is not so convinced and listens intently as 34 year old Chico tries to prove himself with a raspy rendition of Shai's "If I ever fall in love". He follows up with an ear-splitting screech of Prince's "Kiss".

Listening to the ex-goat herder Simon is laughing, not with delight though, with incredulity. He's looking like he's just heard-a goat!

Simon's smile drops when he realises that Sharon and Louis seem rather more impressed by Chico's Morrocan moves and sultry sounds. They fail to pick up on Chico's screechy bits and ignoring protests from Simon they elect that the singer, who's roots are Casablancan, should be invited to 'play it again' at Boot Camp.

Fuming, Simon has a luckless corridor pow-wow with The X Factor producers, then another with Louis, who takes great delight in sticking to his guns. Chico is 'in'. Louis doesn't care what Simon thinks, and for the moment at least, neither will Chico!

Panel-Bites:

Simon Cowell:  Chico, tell me something interesting about you?

Chico:  I cannot be compared to anybody, because what I do nobody else can do better, and that's being myself and being Chico and being The X Factor. I believe.

Simon Cowell:  And do you believe that you are the best undiscovered talent in this country?

Chico:  Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt and I can tell you that now, I will thank you when I pick up that 'Grammy' or whatever it is that they're gonna give me.

Simon Cowell:  Honestly?

Chico:  Honestly! What do you mean honestly. I believe!

Simon Cowell:  A Grammy?

Chico:  A-bsolutely! I'm sorry, this is just my way of thinking. Hi Sharon you look lovely (smiles).

Sharon Osbourne:  Thank you darling.

Simon Cowell:  All right Chico, off you go.

Chico sings...

Simon Cowell:  (laughs) My god!

Chico:  You've seen it all.

Simon Cowell:  Chico that was just AWFUL!

Louis Walsh:  (To Simon) It wasn't!

Chico:  I'm sorry, I beg to differ.

Louis Walsh:  Sharon?

Sharon Osbourne:  You remind me of Julio.

Simon Cowell:  (laughing) Julio who?

Sharon Osbourne:  Julio Iglesias.

Simon Cowell:  You're winding me up?

Sharon Osbourne:  No.

Chico:  Sharon, you are totally right.

Simon Cowell:  Sorry Chico, without being rude... it was loathsome!

Chico:  Come on Simon... You can't tell me you don't get it man!

Simon Cowell:  The corniest audition I have ever seen...

Louis Walsh:  No

Simon Cowell:  ... in my life.

Louis Walsh:  No!

Chico:  It's a matter of opinion.

Louis Walsh:  Sharon?

Sharon Osbourne:  Yes.

Chico:  Thank you Sharon. You would not regret it. You will not regret this.

Simon Cowell:  (to Louis) If you... (to Chico) Excuse me one second. (Simon puts his hand up to hide his face from Chico)

Chico:  Do you want me to turn around? (He turns his back to the panel)

Simon Cowell:  (Mutters to Louis) You cannot put this guy through. It is a joke.

Louis Walsh:  I can put him through if I want to.

Simon Cowell:  No I'm being serious. And you're making a mockery of him, the show and everything...

Louis Walsh:  I'm not. Chico wants this. I'm not going to take his dream away.

Simon Cowell:  Everyone wants this... it is a joke.

Sharon Osbourne:  He (Louis) has his own opinion.

Simon Cowell:  Yea, well let Louis make his own mind up.

Louis Walsh:  Chico! (Chico turns to face the panel) I'm going to agree with Sharon.

Chico:  Ohhhh!

Louis Walsh:  ...and you are through to the next round.

Chico:  ...and you will not be disappointed.

Simon Cowell:  (stands up and begins to walk out) No offence Chico... but (turning to Sharon and Louis) you're pathetic...

Louis Walsh:  And you're arrogant.

Simon Cowell:  (To lady X Factor producer) I want a word with you.

Louis Walsh:  (To Chico) You're through because you deserve to be through.

Chico:  Thank you, thank you very much.

Louis Walsh:  You are very, very good.

Chico:  Sharon, you won't regret it. Mr Walsh you will not regret it.

Louis Walsh:  (while Simon conflabs with the producers) What is wrong with him? He thinks he's right all the time!

(Later Simon talks with Louis in the corridor)

Simon Cowell:  You are making a fool out of yourself and you're making a fool out of the competition.

Louis Walsh:  I don't think so.

Simon Cowell:  You are Louis.

Louis Walsh:  I don't think so.

Simon Cowell:  Louis, I'm telling you as a friend you've got to stop this.

Louis Walsh:  I don't think so.

Simon Cowell:  He couldn't sing...

Louis Walsh:  I don't believe... I don't care. I don't care.

Simon Cowell:  So you're just going to carry on doing it.

Louis Walsh:  (nods) Yep. I'm sorry!

Simon Cowell:  Louis...

Louis Walsh:  No, no, no...

Simon Cowell:  Stop it!

Louis Walsh:  No.