A woman from Greenhithe has been branded Simon Cowell's 'idea of hell' after appearing on this year's X Factor.

Irene Major, aged 34, originally from Cameroon, lives at Ingress Abbey with Canadian businessman husband, Sam Malin, aged 51, and appeared on the show with her sister Elsa on September 20 after being scouted by Simon Cowell's talent agency, Syco, back in May.

The duo, know as Major, performed Icona Pop's I Love It during the live auditions at Wembley Arena.

As they appeared on stage Louis Walsh exclaimed: "You're both girls, yeah?" and afterwards Simon Cowell added insult to injury, saying: "If anyone ever asks me what it would be like going to hell, I think I’ve just experienced it."

Speaking after the show was aired, Mr Malin said: "My wife and my sister-in-law are both very attractive women but maybe Louis doesn't appreciate women in the same way.

"I wasn't surprised by the comments but what was really frustrating was the way the show was edited which made it look like they didn't get as far as they did."

The contestant, who has worked as a hostess on the Graham Norton Show, said: "Simon is Simon, we love him and call him 'Uncle Simon' - you expect him to be rude, that's his act.

"Louis was a sweetheart really and Cheryl is just adorable.

"We laughed everything off but if we were asked to go back on the show we would jump at the chance."