On Friday (October 26), the contestant missed a masterclass with Robbie Williams after he fled the premises and caught a train back to his home town.
© Rex Features / Ken McKay/Thames
According to The Sun, the wildcard entry slipped out of the London hotel where he was staying with fellow acts on Thursday (October 25).
He made his way to Euston before catching a train back to Liverpool, where he was said to be visiting his grandmother. The singer was reportedly feeling the pressure after being heavily criticised for his "cheesy" rendition of Boy Meets Girl's 'Waiting for a Star to Fall' on last week's show.
Sources told the paper that Maloney - who consequently will not feature in footage of the session with Williams - had been trying to shrug off negative attention at a Halloween party organised by show bosses on Wednesday night (October 24). His disappearance the following day is likely to have serious repercussions.
© Rex Features / Ken McKay/Thames/Rex Features
"Bosses were furious. Robbie's masterclass was a big deal and to miss it is unforgivable," added the insider.
"Now we have to explain why he isn't there on the show this weekend."
Maloney reportedly received the most viewer votes during the first two weeks of The X Factor, despite rumours that former head judge Simon Cowell is not a fan.
The music mogul, who is currently filming the US version of the show in Los Angeles, is said to have dubbed the 34-year-old "dated and cheesy".
The X Factor continues tonight at 8.20pm on ITV1. Contestants will be singing songs with a spooky or Halloween theme.
Watch Christopher Maloney talking to Digital Spy about the competition below:
