Chris O'Dowd is not normally a man you would expect to find in a war of the words situation, but he certainly woke the beast with his recent remarks about The X Factor. Simon Cowell has responded to the Irish actor's words by calling him 'ignorant' and 'insulting' for accusing X Factor viewers of being racist.

The Bridesmaids star said yesterday in a radio interview that while he liked the show, he added that; "viewers are so racist, all the black, strong singers go out in round five every year." Controversial, O'Dowd! Surely he didn't think he would get away with that one?

And that he didn't, as Simon Cowell was quick to respond; he told Entertainmentwise: "We are the least racist show you could possibly find in the world. So not only is he ignorant, it's actually insulting to hear him say that. And it's insulting to our audience." Cowell then went on to list previous X Factor stars Alexandra Burke, JLS and Leona Lewis, before adding: "It's ridiculous."

An adjudicator of sorts was brought into the argument in the form of Simon Woolley of Operation Black Vote, who backed O'Dowd by saying: "I wouldn't describe voters as racist, but there's something more subtle going on which makes it harder for contestants with a 'darker' physical complexion to win public support. [...] Generally the 'blacker' the artist is, the harder it is for the public to warm to them."

You can watch Simon Cowell's comments below:

 

Source: EntertainmentWise