Failed 'X Factor' hopeful Jacqui Gray sang the praises of Simon Cowell after one of his cruel comments helped to save her life.
Jacqui, 46, was auditioning on the show when he made a barbed remark about her voice.
He told her: "Something weird happens in your throat when you sing."
Simon and fellow judge Sharon Osbourne thought Jacqui’s voice sounded so peculiar that they urged her to seek medical attention.
As soon as the mother-of-two got home she went to see her GP and then a specialist – who diagnosed a lung condition that can be fatal.
Fortunately the illness was caught in time and is now under control with drugs and physiotherapy.
"I was told that if I had not caught it in time it could have killed me, which is frightening.
"I am just so glad that Simon said something, and that made me do something about it."
A spokeswoman for the show says Simon was thrilled Gray's problem had been diagnosed, adding, "It is great to hear that Jacqui is on the road to recovery."
