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X Factor UK: Unkind moment enrages viewers

By April MacIntyre Sep 23, 2011, 13:35 GMT

08/17/2011 - Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow - "The X Factor" Press Launch Photocall - O2 Arena - London, UK © Solarpix / PR Photos

Taking pot shots at the mentally ill seems to be the modus operandi for the UK edition of The X Factor.

Judge Gary Barlow allegedly went through "X Factor" contestant Ceri Rees' purse, who has appeared before on the show.

The Daily Mail reports Barlow, a singer, decided to make a laughing stock of a women who was clearly troubled.

The audience wasn't having it an reportedly booed the unkind judge when he held the document and quipped: 'A passport? You won't be needing that.'

Audience member Ashlei Swain, 26, told the Daily Mail: 'He held it up and mocked her and tried to get the audience to laugh with him. But people were booing.'

Ceri had brought a bunch of flowers for Louie Walsh, who she said was her 'favorite judge'.

Courted by 'X Factor' producers for this season, Ceri was accommodated with travel and hotel arrangements so she appear yet again on a show that had rejected her several times prior.

The Daily Mail reports her brother Michael Martin is now planning legal action against the show bosses.

Celebrity singer Lily Allen used Twitter to speak out about the mocking of Ceri: 'they shouldn't have aired that audition, she's clearly ill.'