'X Factor' contestant Katie Waissel's father has raised his concerns about the effect the show is having on his daughter, and has reportedly revealed that she has received death threats.
The Daily Mail reports that Maurice Waissel said this week: "I've had Katie sobbing on the phone to me every night. She's had death threats sent to her over the internet, and we've had to ask the police to intervene.
"Only the other night, Katie said to me: 'Dad, what's the point in going on if everyone hates me'.
"Let's face it, 'X Factor' has become a circus where only the strongest survive."
The Daily Mail quotes the singer's friend and former work colleague Gabi Dee as saying: "People assume she can take all the criticism because she comes across as so strong - but she is still just an ordinary girl. It hurts her."
"Friend and hairdresser" George John is also quoted as saying: "She feels hated, even though she feels she's done nothing wrong."
