Simon Cowell has strenuously denied rumours that Britain’s Got Talent has been fixed for Ronan Parke.
Earlier in the week an anonymous blog post claimed that Cowell had signed the 12-year-old singer to his record company Syco.
Speaking at the start of Britain’s Got Talent tonight, Cowell dismissed claims of a previous professional relationship with Parke as “complete and utter lies”.
He said: “There has been an allegation made on the internet by somebody that Ronan Parke had a previous recording contract with my record label and that I’ve met him beforehand, both of which are complete and utter lies.
“He entered the show of his own accord… this is a deliberate smear campaign and it’s my job to make sure that this liar is exposed and this kid is treated like everybody else.”
Ronan Parke secured his place in Saturday’s final after topping the public vote on Monday’s first semi final.