A contestant who was rejected on the upcoming X Factor talent show nearly ran over judge Louis Walsh, according to The People today.

Walsh was apparently forced to run for cover when drunk George Yakumi tried to run his car into the Wembley Conference Centre, where filming for the show was taking place.

The car came to a halt on the steps of the building, just 10 yards away from crashing into the venue.

George was arrested and has been banned from driving for a year. He will also have to pay a £470 fine.

"I wanted to have it out with the producers," George admits, "but it was never my intention to hurt or endanger anyone.

"I did see a little fat guy but I had no idea it was Louis Walsh."

Walsh commented, "The man was crazy. He was furious he hadn't been chosen to go further."

Meanwhile, a report in the News of the World claims that another reject sent "chilling" emails to a co-contestant, with one email containing a threat to stab Simon Cowell, who is also a judge on the show.

"It sent a chill down me - but I'm used to it," Cowell told the newspaper.