Katie Waissel's mother defends daughter

X Factor hopeful Katie Waissel's mother has claimed that her daughter is a "team player" and defended her behaviour on the reality show.

Diana Waissel said that she does not think it is fair that the 24-year-old is being blamed for Gamu Nhengu's exit from the competition. She also said that she fears her daughter will become a hate figure for fans who think that she is arrogant.

"There seems to be this thing that Katie has got someone else's place," she told The Sun. "I don't know why everyone is blaming her. It happened last year in a way to Danyl [Johnson] and he was a good singer and he was a nice guy and he was pushed out.

"I don't want that to happen to Katie. She is a team player and a lovely girl. She has a very supportive family. We don't like all these bullying tactics... Now I just want to ask the British public to get behind her and give her a chance."

Waissel survived the sing-off on Sunday's results show, when she was saved by the judges following her rendition of Beatles classic 'Don't Let Me Down'.