X Factor controversy: Magician Ben Hanlin under fire over live Cheryl weight jibe

Ben Hanlin was slammed over his Cheryl Fernandez-Versini comments

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by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

The Xtra Factor turned into the Cringe Factor last night, after Tricked star Ben Hanlin slipped up as he performed a card trick for presenters Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Humes.

When the magician was asked to perform a card trick, he promptly tore up a card before stuffing it into his mouth appearing to eat it, explaining, "The thing is you’re putting me on the spot”.

When Rochelle said of the strange trick, “This is the quietest I’ve ever heard the studio, Ben awkwardly responded: “That’s the Cheryl Cole diet”.

He soon realised his mishap, but unfortunately it was too late for the red-faced magician.

Twitter was quickly flooded with replies from outraged Cheryl fans slamming his ‘insensitive' comments.

"I hope @benhanlin has been removed from the studio after that comment”, one responded.

Another wrote: "I think @benhanlin should be made to apologise for what he said about Cheryl. It was so disrespectful and uncalled for."

Cheryl has had to endure constant jibes over her weight in recent months, and was forced to defend herself telling ES Magazine in September:

"Body shaming has to stop. It's b******t. Something has to be done, changed, even if it's done in law.

"I am very happy and very healthy. Every woman has a different body type and handles stress and grief differently."

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