Scottish Nicholas McDonald suffers from a rare heart condition, Long QT Syndrome, and is constant risk of suffering a potentially fatal heart attack.
Louis Walsh said to a UK newspaper: “I am worried about the stress and strain on Nicholas. He has this serious heart condition. I worry about that for the weekend, seriously.
“There is nothing we can do. He is working really hard – we are just going to give him some time off.”
Louis admitted that Nicholas’ condition is very serious. He said: “You just don’t know. When somebody dies, they’re dead.”
Nicholas has previously admitted that he “could die tomorrow” and that he takes a tablet everyday to slow his heart rate down, which he will have to take for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, ex-prison warden Sam Bailey is favourite to win the competition this weekend, and mentor Sharon Osbourne has admitted she thinks that Sam won’t get a record deal unless she wins.
Mrs O told a UK newspaper: “You’ve got to tick all the boxes: young, good-looking, single, fake boobs, get the lips done, be sexy.
“This is the last chance saloon. If she doesn’t win this then she won’t get a record deal. Once you are away from here you are yesterdays news. That’s the reality of the music industry. There are many people who are ageist.”
But Sharon is convinced that 36-year-old Sam will win the show, saying: “She’s the worthy winner. She has grafted, she’s paid her dues. She’s done all the leg work, all the s*** gigs in the world.”
The X Factor final starts tonight, and will see Nicholas perform with Shane Filan, Sam with Nicole Scherzinger and third finalist Luke Friend duet with Ellie Goulding.
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