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Fans laying siege to X Factor house upset embassy next door
Sri Carmichael, Consumer Affairs Reporter29 Oct 2009
First there was grumbling from wealthy local residents.
Now the screaming teenage fans besieging the X Factor house have sparked a diplomatic row.
In an escalation of the noise protests, the Chinese Ambassador, who lives next door to the contestants, has officially complained to the British Government about the groupies' lewd behaviour.
Madam Fu Ying has told the Foreign Office she is "very irritated" by the relentless commotion from schoolchildren on half term hanging around the £6 million property in Golders Green, desperate to catch a glimpse of the XFactor stars.
A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy said: "I can confirm there was a complaint. The reason is several times late at night and early in the mornings the teenage fans were noisy and disturbing." The high-level anger increases the pressure on ITV chiefs to move the contestants to a new, more isolated location.
Police are understood to be talking to production company Talkback Thames about whether the house needs to be closed.
Alexander Netsler, who lives in the street, said: "It's like putting a bunch of chavs next to the Queen. We want them [the contestants] out. There are some seriously wealthy residents in the street."
Mobs of girls have defaced the Ambassador's front door intercom and border fence with racy declarations of love for hopefuls Olly Murs, 25, and Lloyd Daniels, 16. Neighbours described some of them as "pornographic", saying the situation was a "nightmare".
One said: "We're sick to the back teeth of the disruption and if the police don't sort it we will. If necessary, we will blockade the street." Residents called police when two young teenagers flashed their breasts at 18-year-old contestants Irish twins John and Edward Grimes.
The boys at the window showed their appreciation by grabbing their crotches like Michael Jackson, while wearing only boxer shorts, leading to a dressing down by the show's bosses. The brothers are now banned from signing autographs or talking to fans. The crowds have caused traffic jams and left behind piles of rubbish.
Police said two cars had a minor crash yesterday. One girl caught up in the bedlam ran into the road and was almost run over when the contestants returned home. Police patrols have been stepped up and a fence erected.
The ambassador's views on britain
Chinese ambassador Madam Fu Ying, left, has previously accused the West of lacking “respect” and “demonising” China. She hit out after British protesters angry at the Chinese crackdown in Tibet attacked the Olympic torch relay in April when it was in London ahead of the Beijing Games.
The ambassador said Chinese athletes were so shocked they asked whether Britain could really have produced Shakespeare and Dickens. She said: “One [athlete] asked: where is the gentlemenship'? The Western media needs to make an effort to earn respect.” Fu Ying has been in her post since 2007.
Reader views (21)
Very irratated, so she should be, now she knows what it is like in the real world.
- Ann Other, I'm not saying where I am as its lovely., 30/10/2009 07:21
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whys chineese ambassador live next to a 6 MILLION POUND HOUSE ? .. whats wrong with a modest abode??
- Rogerblogger, london, 29/10/2009 18:27
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considering the chinese don't care for their own neighbours in Tibet to theit right to freedom , it is a bit rich of them to complain about their situation next to the X factor house, maybe we can see them for what they are, self centred in-human beings
- Peter Kavanagh, dublin, ireland, 29/10/2009 17:31
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I applaud wholeheartedly the comments of Adele and Kevin Lynch who point out the vicious irony of a representative of a brutal communist dictatorship talking about a 'lack of respect'. Obviously vandalism is wrong and must be punished, but the wider issue here is that at least our kids are free to show embarrassing lack of taste without fear of incarceration or worse (obviously I draw the line at criminal damage - goes without saying).
- Jonathan Charles, London, 29/10/2009 16:36
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The way the fans of X Factor behave, just about sums up the programme. There are far more talented musicians/singers performing at gigs all over the country, and yet these clone like fans are oblivious of them. So sad.
- Jose Luis, SW London, 29/10/2009 16:24
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These kids are clearly delusional if they believe John and Edward are talented. as much as I loathe reality shows it seems obvious that when these shows are opened up to the public vote silly chavvy kids like these are going to vote for the person they fancy not the one who is actually talented. Granted John and Edward are neither good looking nor even slightly talented for that matter but they've got further than they should as they really shouldn't even have got through to Boot Camp. Please let them be voted this week so they can go back to school or whatever hole they crawled out of.
- Boredofjohnaned, London, 29/10/2009 15:56
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I agree with Kevin Lynch. it's a bit rich the Chinese ambassador talking about a lack of respect and lawlessness when they have murdered and tortured thousands of peaceful, non-violent Tibetans, destroyed their monasteries and culture and continue to claim it as their own country despite the fact the vast majority of Tibetans want them out. On top of that, the Chinese government have no respect for their own citizens as demonstrated by Tianamen massacre.
- Adele, London, UK, 29/10/2009 15:34
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I bought Dionne Bromfield's CD this morning, She is just thirteen and ten times better than Danyl, Olly, Jamie, Dtacey and crowd. If they changed the rules she would almost have won the show by now.
- Keith Price, Luton England, 29/10/2009 15:21
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We all know the twins can't sing, can't dance, lack charisma, rely solely on backing dancers and stage effects for any sense of spectacle and they've got deeply stupid haircuts.
So of course they'll win, have the Xmas No.1, and then disappear forever only to crop up at obscure seaside resorts in ten years time hosting "John n' Edward's Big Craic" or somesuch.
- Richard, London UK, 29/10/2009 14:36
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No one would want to live near to that house and who could blame them?
But as far as the Chinese embassy is concerned, perhaps they should serve Tibet cookies or Tianamnem Tea. That would thin the crowd out very quickly.
- Macdangler, Wimbledon SW19, 29/10/2009 13:58
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I'm not suprised, the twins are amazing performers. They're breaking the rules and messign up the competitions. They're silly and charming and suave...girls love that. I'd do it.
- I <3 Jedward, London, 29/10/2009 12:46
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'there are some seriously wealthy residents in the street'
Oh, so it's OK if this sort of thing happens in poorer neighbourhoods then?
- Paul, London, 29/10/2009 12:30
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Oh dear, chavs and sadsacks, I mourn the passing of our nations youth.
- Bob, Cheam, 29/10/2009 12:24
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Children today are brought up to emulate role models, not to have pride in just being themselves.
Being an individual is against the rules of the collective.
- Ian, Reading, England, 29/10/2009 12:23
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John and Edward to win please 
- P Staker, London, 29/10/2009 12:11
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Perhaps the ambassador should wheel out the Ferrero Rocher in a charm offensive?
- Keith, King's Cross, 29/10/2009 12:11
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I find this obsession with so-called 'celebrities' rather worrying.
- David, London, UK, 29/10/2009 11:27
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A lack of respect? What, like driving tanks over your own people in the main square? Like THAT?
- Kevin Lynch, Dublin., 29/10/2009 11:21
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This kind of show shoukd not have a house near respectable people and I think the Chinese Ambassodor is completely right in saying what she has said.
These so called teenagers are a disgrace to our country and as for Simon Cowell well!grow up!
- Denis Regan, harbin china, 29/10/2009 11:19
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The Chinese Ambassador?
Well in that case we shall have them all executed immediately comrade!
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 29/10/2009 10:26
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Don't these childern and teenagers have parents?
Or is everyone a chav these days.
- William Jenkins, london, 29/10/2009 10:16
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