A SINGER from the region plans to make Simon Cowell eat his words after the X-Factor judge cruelly rejected him.

The acid-tongued critic attacked Anthony Little's audition saying he had no talent and laughed at his image, calling his outfit hideous.

Anthony, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, chose to sing something by his favourite singer Lionel Richie, Easy, when he took part in the Newcastle heats in June.

But as viewers of the ITV show saw last Saturday, he failed to make it to the next stage of the competition, when Sharon Osbourne cast the deciding vote against him, despite Louis Walsh's support.

While Anthony admits his outfit - a white jacket and piano tie - was probably a poor choice, he is determined to prove his mettle on the stage.

The 25-year-old said: "I'd been to Newcastle the day before and everyone looked the same, wearing scruffy jeans and a T-shirt, so I wanted to stand out and I did manage that.

"But to say I'm not at all talented is unfair. I've been singing for two years and lots of places I've sang at asked me back, so they obviously enjoy my performances.

"I found Simon's comments insulting to me and the people who pay my wages, he was bang out of order.

"It is all said for entertainment value and, while I can take criticism if it helps, no-one wants to be told they look hideous and are untalented."

Anthony, a former pupil of Woodham Comprehensive School, in Newton Aycliffe, and Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, hopes to impress record producers with his CD.

With his singing partner Kirsty Carr, from Chester-le-Street, he hired a professional recording studio and recorded the tracks most popular with his audiences.

He said: "Sharon sat on the fence, but Louis was a bit more encouraging, he could see I really want to do well as a performer and recognised talent.

"I'm going to send him the CD and a few national newspapers said they would pass it on to producers and we'll see what happens. We're packed out for the rest of the year and I'm hoping this CD will lead to Simon being proved wrong.