X FACTOR: Celebrity star Martin Bashir says his colleagues have “sneered” at him for taking part in the talent show.
Journalist Martin – known for his hard-hitting interviews with Michael Jackson and Princess Diana – says he’s been called an “idiot” for taking part in Simon Cowell’s series.
X Factor: Celebrity’s Martin Bashir says pals told him he was an ’embarrassment’ for going on the show
Speaking on Friday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, the BBC’s Religion Editor said: “It has been humiliating.
Some of my colleagues at the BBC have sneered a bit. ‘Oh you look like an idiot, what an embarrassment’.”I feel that I have tried something new and have made some progress.”
Presenters Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway offered no sympathy, and joked they’d give him counselling if he needed it.
But Martin admitted he wasn’t expecting to make it this far in the competition, but the 56-year-old said he feels like he’s “already won” after bringing attention to his late brother’s battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
He said: “If you have four limbs and a perfectly functioning body, what excuse do you have?”
He added: “As we get older we narrow our perspective. Psychologists say we make fewer friends and try fewer things. We avoid doing things.
“This has been an opportunity to do something challenging. I’m 57 in January. The great thing is I’ve tried to do something I never thought I’d be able to do.
Martin Bashir will perform again on Saturday night after being saved over Olivia Olson by Simon Cowell“The only time I’ve sun is in shower and car and usually Im told to shut up. This has been a real challenge.”
Speaking to Sun Online, Martin joked he bribed Simon Cowell with a Bentley before being saved on The X Factor: Celebrity this weekend.
He said: “I gave Simon a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo just before I went on and he seemed to think that was helpful. It worked!”
But he added: “The incredible thing about this competition is that after I talked about my brother in the first show, we’ve had hundreds of parents with physically and mentally handicapped children reach out to charities I’m connected to and to others.
“We’ve even had offers of large sums of money from important organisations, so I honestly feel like I’ve won The X Factor already.”If I go out this Saturday, I will feel as though it has been worthwhile.”
Martin emotionally revealed his younger brother Tommy died aged 29 after a lifelong struggle against muscle disease.
He cared for his sick brother with his mum and dad before his death in 1991.
The X Factor Celebrity continues on Saturday at 8.30pm on ITV.
