Frankie Cocozza booted out of X Factor

Frankie Cocozza has been booted out of ‘X Factor’ for breaking the show's "golden rule".

The Sun suggest that he boasted about taking cocaine, while in the presence of the show's producers.

A source told The Sun, "Frankie is devastated but he has broken a golden rule so producers had no option but to axe him."

[See also: Our Frankie Cocozza's worst moments]

Frankie said in a statement, “I’d like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me, but, as of today, I will no longer be in The X Factor."

"My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has over-stepped the rules of the competition."

"I no longer deserve my place in the show."

The exit could pave the way for the return of The Risk or Johnny Robinson, both of whom were voted off last weekend. It’s hard to believe that nobody will be eliminated this weekend.

The Sun's source told them, "Frankie is devastated but he has broken a golden rule so producers had no option but to axe him. He had an extra boost from being kept in at the weekend when he thought he was going to go".

"But now his dream is officially over and he only has himself to blame."

Only this morning it was revealed that Frankie had told mentor Gary Barlow that he might quit the show following abuse on Twitter.

[See also: Why you shouldn't blame Frankie Cocozza for Frankie Cocozza]

Ofcom are also conducting two investigations, one into Frankie's swearing on pre-watershed television and another into the glamorisation of his partying lifestyle.

An X Factor spokesperson said: “Frankie is leaving the show today after breaking competition rules. He is going to take some time out before continuing his career as a singer. We wish him all the best for his future.”



UPDATE: Gary Barlow has released a statement saying, "I'm hugely disappointed that he's thrown away an opportunity like this after working so hard to get here. I'm sorry to see him go as we've been through a lot together in such a short time."

"I hope Frankie continues to look to me as a friend and supporter and works it all out, picks himself up and somehow tries to turn this into a positive."