Luna
31-10-2005, 18:34
FACTOR loser Philip McGee learned yesterday that his mum was rushed to hospital while he was still in the show.
The 21-year-old, who got the boot from the competition on Saturday, discovered mum Ann had collapsed with a severe asthma attack.
Philip said: "I found out this morning she had been rushed to hospital a few days ago with an asthma attack. She's fine now but I think when she gets stressed it can affect her breathing. X Factor has definitely been a contributory factor to that."
Ann, 46, travelled from Larne, Northern Ireland, to watch Philip sing the previous weekend. But after returning home, she was taken seriously ill.
Philip said: "The whole thing has been really overwhelming for my mum. She's from the country and she's not used to all this attention.
"Even though she's never flown before, she came over to London to see me perform last week."
He added: "I would have gone back to Ireland if she had been really ill but as she was stable I don't feel so bad about not having known."
Philip was given the boot after judge Simon Cowell said his rendition of Johnny B Goode sounded like "Shakin' Stevens at someone's wedding".
But he said: "I think there is a market for rock 'n' roll. Johnny B Goode is a real favourite of mine. I could tell it really got the crowd going, but I had a funny feeling Simon wouldn't find it suitable." He claimed he'd already guessed Simon would oust him over rival contestant, Chico Slimani.
Philip added: "I don't have anything against Simon but perhaps he didn't like me. It's the impression I got over the last couple of weeks.
"I think X Factor should be judged solely by the public. It's not fair it goes down to one judge because it becomes about personality."
However, Philip, insisted that he would not give up on his dream of fame. He said: "I wouldn't have done anything differently. I'm returning to Ireland but I will have another shot at it."
The 21-year-old, who got the boot from the competition on Saturday, discovered mum Ann had collapsed with a severe asthma attack.
Philip said: "I found out this morning she had been rushed to hospital a few days ago with an asthma attack. She's fine now but I think when she gets stressed it can affect her breathing. X Factor has definitely been a contributory factor to that."
Ann, 46, travelled from Larne, Northern Ireland, to watch Philip sing the previous weekend. But after returning home, she was taken seriously ill.
Philip said: "The whole thing has been really overwhelming for my mum. She's from the country and she's not used to all this attention.
"Even though she's never flown before, she came over to London to see me perform last week."
He added: "I would have gone back to Ireland if she had been really ill but as she was stable I don't feel so bad about not having known."
Philip was given the boot after judge Simon Cowell said his rendition of Johnny B Goode sounded like "Shakin' Stevens at someone's wedding".
But he said: "I think there is a market for rock 'n' roll. Johnny B Goode is a real favourite of mine. I could tell it really got the crowd going, but I had a funny feeling Simon wouldn't find it suitable." He claimed he'd already guessed Simon would oust him over rival contestant, Chico Slimani.
Philip added: "I don't have anything against Simon but perhaps he didn't like me. It's the impression I got over the last couple of weeks.
"I think X Factor should be judged solely by the public. It's not fair it goes down to one judge because it becomes about personality."
However, Philip, insisted that he would not give up on his dream of fame. He said: "I wouldn't have done anything differently. I'm returning to Ireland but I will have another shot at it."