X Factor 2016: Simon Cowell makes Matt Terry CRY with harsh remarks
SIMON COWELL brought contestant Matt Terry to tears after a string of "harsh" criticism on tonight's episode of The X Factor.
Matt Terry gets emotional over Simon Cowell's comments
Wiping away tears with a hug from Dermot O'Leary, Matt later admitted he was "feeling a bit scared tonight" as he may "not be safe".
Causing the tears, 57-year-old music mogul Simon said: "I think the first half of the track, the song, for me it didn't work. Let me tell you why. It didn't feel like it was you.
"Then once you got in here, the second half of the track you were ad-libbing more. It felt like you were taking hold of the track. I thought it was fantastic.
"It was like a song of two halves, but the second half, which is what I think people are going to remember, it was great. I still think there's a lot more to come from you."
X Factor 2016: Simon Cowell makes Matt Terry CRY with harsh remarks
X Factor 2016: Matt Terry listens to Simon Cowell's comments
It was like a song of two halves, but the second half, which is what I think people are going to remember, it was great
One viewer tweeted: "@MattTerry93 I disagree with Simon. You did smashing it and i'll be behind on you all the way #teamMatt. I vote for you."
"Matt's making me cry, he's so sweet!! Bless him!! @MattTerry93 #VoteMatt #XFactor," posted another.
A third said: "@MattTerry93 couldn't do a better job if he tried! #XFactor2016 #teamMatt."
"Matt don't cry #XFactor," pleaded one dedicated fan, before another followed up with: "I love a guys who can show his emotions. @MattTerry93 TO WIN!!! #XFactor."
Not all viewers bought the tears with some cynical audience members believing they were an attempt to gain votes.
X Factor 2016: Matt Terry wipes away a tear
X Factor 2016: Dermot offers Matt Terry a comforting hug
"Looooooool Matt terry with that one tear. Sympathy votes come through #XFactor," said one.
Another added: "Matt Terry crying on @TheXFactor cause he can't take a little criticism. Aye not so much golden boy anymore."
Reviewing the night on The Xtra Factor, mentor Nicole Scherzinger said: "I didn't know that that happened. to me he shined like crazy, but that's okay and I appreciate your criticism. I like fuel for the fire. Sherzy's about to kick him into place."
Simon added: "I think Matt, for the last two weeks, hasn't been himself. It's true. It's Nicole's fault."
The X Factor continues tomorrow night on ITV at 8pm.