The X Factor gets the PM's vote

If Simon Cowell is looking for a new judge for the next series of The X Factor, he should pay a trip to Downing Street. The Times and the Daily Mail report that Gordon Brown has taken time out from the global financial crisis to send no fewer than 12 letters to the contestants. They include telling Ruth Lorenzo: "Keep singing in English, girl. You're doing a great job! Going against Simon." And this to recent evictee Daniel Evans: "Can I say that next time Simon says that you are only supported by the over-60s, you can tell him that my wife Sarah and I disagree." Louis Walsh, watch your back.