Friedman defends 'X Factor' Cher stairs

Brian Friedman has blasted Simon Cowell for his criticism of Cher Lloyd's stage production on the latest X Factor live shows.

Cher performed John Lennon's 'Imagine' on Saturday night while sitting halfway up a staircase. Cowell mocked the staging, claiming that Cheryl Cole has made a mistake with her act.

"The problem was what Cheryl did with the half-staircase," said the SyCo boss. "There was nothing you could do on that. Your fans want you to give more of a performance. They're not going to like this."

Creative director Brian Friedman accepted the blame for the unusual prop on Sunday's Xtra Factor, but argued that Cowell and viewers should be focusing on the singing rather than the production.

"Why are we talking about the stairs?" asked Friedman. "I know the production and everything is all part of the package, but I gave her the stairs. We should be talking about her singing.

"The idea was a stairway to heaven. It was just some stairs - get over it."

Friedman also expressed his shock that Lloyd and Paije Richardson were the bottom two acts last night.

"At this rate it will be Matt and Rebecca next week and they're my two favourites," he said, "I don't get it."