News

New Zealand’s TV3 sacks judges for humiliating contestant

New Zealand channel TV3 has sacked judges  Natalia Kills and Willy Moon from The X Factor after the couple bullied a contestant on live TV last night, reports the New Zealand Herald.

Kills suggested contestant Joe Irvine was copying her husband Willy Moon and said he was a “laughing stock” and made her “sick”.

Mediaworks, the owners of TV3, confirmed it fired the pair ahead of tonight’s live elimination show.

The NZ Herald quotes a statement issued this afternoon by Mediaworks chief executive Mark Weldon: “Last night on X Factor both Kills and Moon made comments that were completely unacceptable.

“While the judges on X Factor are expected to provide critiques of the performances, we will not tolerate such destructive tirades from any of the judges,” he said.

It is understood the show came under pressure from sponsors, including McDonald’s, and fellow judges Australian Stan Walker and Melanie Blatt to take action.

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