Ricki Lake doesn't think Olivia Olson should have been eliminated from 'The X Factor: Celebrity'.
Ricki Lake
The chat show star and the 'Love Actually' actress were both sent home by talent show boss Simon Cowell over the weekend, and Ricki has insisted the judge made the wrong decision to stick with Martin Bashir.
She told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre TV column: "Controversy makes good TV. But it's unfortunate that Olivia became the scapegoat, as she is so sweet.
"She should not have gone home. She is stunning, she has star quality and her voice is so strong. I feel sad for her, because she really wanted this."
Although the 51-year-old host - who fronted her own talk show over over a decade until 2004 - described journalist Martin as a "star" who is "loved" by British viewers, she thinks Olivia should have been given the chance.
She added: "I was very sad for Olivia. We are at different stages in our careers but this was her dream. I don't want to say Martin should have gone home as he does have a very special quality to him.
"He may not be the best voice but he is a star and he is shining up there. But I get it, it's a TV show that has to appeal to an audience in the UK. And Martin is so loved."
Olivia broke down in tears on stage after hearing the result, and she later took to Instagram admitting she was "confused" after being told she could "win" the series before being axed.
She wrote: "My elimination came as a shock. I was confused why Simon would tell me I could win this competition and then ultimately send me home. It was a punch in the gut."
Tagged in Martin Bashir Ricki Lake Simon Cowell