X Factor mentor Gary Barlow has said he feels "a level of responsibility" over what has happened to his act, Frankie Cocozza, who departed the show suddenly this week.
At a press conference announcing details of how four eliminated acts - James Michael, Amelia Lily, 2 Shoes and Jonjo Kerr – will have the chance to rejoin the show, Barlow said: "I do feel a level of responsibility towards him but unfortunately I can't follow him around all week.
"We try and take care of them while they are in our company. I said to him on a regular basis, 'You are a young guy, have fun but work hard at the same time'.
"We have all played our part in what has happened with Frankie and I don't think any of us are guilt free in that.
"Especially as I am sat here with all of the press, we have all encouraged Frankie not only to be good but to be bad as well.
"We have enjoyed it and written about it, the show has enjoyed the publicity about it, but it has gone too far out of control for us as a show to have him still on here but I do feel a level of responsibility."
When asked about what led to Cocozza's behaviour, Barlow said: "I read messages, whether they were online, in the newspaper or on Twitter and they were all telling him he is not good enough.
"And the audience booed him on Saturday so I can kind of see where his life has led to in the last seven days and I don't feel good about it at all and I don't think anyone who has contributed to it should.
"I don't want to isolate it to an incident but I felt Louis [Walsh, fellow judge] your comments to Frankie on Saturday night weren't encouraging."
Walsh said he was "only being honest".
Barlow said Cocozza had always said he "wasn't good enough".
"He has been stupid, he has broken the rules, but he has got to live with this for the rest of his life and that's why I feel bad for him," said Barlow.
Fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos said: "I think Gary did all that he could do. At the end of the day he is not a babysitter.
"How many parents do you see with their own children out of control? Gary only met Frankie a few months ago."
