X Factor's Nicholas McDonald feels betrayed by Louis Walsh

X Factor runner-up Nicholas McDonald has hit out at the show's judges for not supporting him.

The 17-year-old, who came second to champion Sam Bailey, feels "betrayed" by his mentor Louis Walsh, who encouraged the audience to vote for Sam and he thinks head judge Gary Barlow never liked him.

Nicholas told the Daily Mail: "Gary has a problem with me throughout the whole show.

"He never seemed to like me and whenever I gave a good performance he would pick up on the smallest things in the world.

"I was disappointed with Louis saying, 'Vote for Sam and her single everyone'. It felt like Sam was getting all the love."

The Scottish star's mother, Eileen, also said she thought it was "unprofessional" for Gary to refuse to stand up after her son's performance when the other judges did so.

She added: "As for Louis, I don't know what that was about and it was rude of him.

"He should have been backing his own act and not encouraging the public to vote for their opponent.

"I think Louis just speaks without thinking sometimes."

Louis made the comment after winner Sam sang Power of Love in the first part of the results show.

He went on to heap praise on the singer and said he thought her single could be "Christmas number one."

X Factor bosses refused to comment on the judges' lack of support for Nicholas but confirmed he was a no show at Gary Barlow's star-studded after-show party at the Dorchester Hotel in London's Mayfair.