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Anthony Russell Officially Quits 'X Factor' Ten Years After First Appearance

Anthony Russell Officially Quits 'X Factor' Ten Years After First Appearance

Better known as 'Tighto', or 'that Scouse guy on X Factor'.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Now and again someone will appear on X Factor and break the mould, not necessarily because they can sing, but more because they're a character.

Anthony Russell, or as you might know him, 'Tighto', was one of those. The 'born and bred' Scouser who 'gets around, like' first appeared on the show in 2007 when he shocked the judges with his uncharacteristic voice.

Perhaps more Liverpudlian than Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Tony Bellew, Paul McCartney and Stephen Graham all rolled into one, ten years ago Anthony claimed "there's nothing that can stop me now, I'm gonna smash it's head in."

Credit: ITV/X Factor

Tighto, who gained his nickname in junior school for being a tight arse with his sweets, returned to the talent show this year, once again getting through the audition phase and eventually was invited to the judges' houses.

Now, though, he's quit the show, and despite anything he says you can bet your bottom dollar it's because he doesn't want to go to Louis Walsh's house.

However, on the contrary to that the Mirror reports that the Scouser withdrew from the show due to personal reasons. It's a major blow to a number of viewers as the program may have just lost around 80 percent of its entertainment value.

"Anthony has been fantastic across the series, a great singer and performer who we are really sad to see go," Louis Walsh said, talking about his departure.

He added: "I had to think for a long time who could take the place.

"Sam [Black] had a great reaction from the British public when his audition aired. So I re-watched it and realised we missed a trick not putting him through at Boot Camp.

"He has that retro 60s style viewers will love. He's really likeable and talented and I can't wait to hear more."

Black apparently fell at the first hurdle, failing to make it to Boot Camp, and to make matters worse proposed to his girlfriend in front of the studio audience and on national TV.

They've gone from a cheeky Mersey dweller who'd quite clearly, given the chance, invite former Liverpool player John Barnes on stage for a rendition of 'World In Motion', to a fella who reckons it's acceptable to ask his missus to marry him on TV. Reel it in.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/X Factor

Topics: TV and Film, ITV, Simon Cowell, x factor