Danyl's mum: 'Simon prefers Olly'

Danyl Johnson's mum has revealed that the singer believes Simon Cowell is deliberately ruining his chances of winning The X Factor.

Maria Burgess said that the 27-year-old teacher thinks that Cowell is focusing all his attention on Olly Murs.

She told the Sunday Mirror: "Danyl's very upset and frustrated at the way he is being treated.

"He feels he's not being given a fair chance and that Olly keeps getting more up-tempo songs.

"And he's not getting all the bells and whistles. He's lucky if he gets a perspex box to stand on when he's performing, while the others have much bigger productions.

"The week he got a choir, we thought, 'Wow, they have really pushed the boat out'."

Burgess added that Cowell does not listen to her son's ideas on what he should be singing.

She stated: "The situation is that Simon Cowell knows best. You don't question him. Danyl has voiced his concerns repeatedly, but been met with a wall of silence."

> Danyl 'in danger of being kicked out'