JIMMY Carr stunned audiences after he kicked an X Factor legend off his quiz show.
The controversial comedian branded the singer “not famous enough” to be on the programme.
After making his entrance and introducing I Literally Just Told You on Channel 4, he quickly turned to his celebrity guests.
He was joined by Jonathan Ross, Josie Gibson, Oti Mabuse, Rylan Clarke and Chico Slimani.
Chico reached the quarter-finals of X Factor nearly 20 years ago.
Jimmy said: “Great to have you all here. Errm, Chico Time was 2005, I’m not sure you’re famous enough to be on a celebrity special.
“What do you mean?” Chico asked, looking surprised.
“We can do it with four contestants, we’ll do it with four. Chico, if you could go,” Jimmy replied.
Unable to work out if it was a joke or not, the room went deadly silent and the other stars were left with their mouths open in shock.
As stage managers started to approach, Chico stood up and said: “No, listen, listen, I’m happy to go.”
“We can all agree it’s quarter past Chico time,” Jimmy added.
“That is harsh,” Oti said, before Jimmy joked: “Josie, you’re next”.
“This is proper telly, this is none of your day time nonsense – I’m looking at you Rylan,” he continued.
Jonathan chimed in: “Jimmy I’ve been here so long I’m looking at you.”
Chico, 52, ditched his singing career in favour of following a more spiritual path.
Last year he took to Instagram to reveal his new business venture – fitness retreats in Morocco.
In a video Chico looked very different compared to his time as a pop star, which saw him land a UK number single with It’s Chico Time.
Wearing a colourful bandana as he showed off his surroundings, he said: “Well, what can I say?
“Just waiting for the second bunch. I can’t even contain my excitement.
“So sorry for the people who couldn’t make it but we have got another one on 29th September. I’m speechless, it really is breathtaking.”
Chico auditioned for The X Factor in 2005 and made it to the live shows, being mentored by Sharon Osbourne.
Despite his gimmicky act he managed to win over Simon Cowell and the public, getting all the way to the quarter-finals.
Chico previously spoke to The Sun about taking a huge financial risk on the release of his third single.
He said: “I spent quarter of a million of my own money on my third single Curvy Cola Bottle Body Baby — it was all about size zero in the fashion industry.
“It didn’t get any air play and flopped. No one wanted to take Chico seriously. I had just £3.70 left in my pocket — with a family, a mortgage and all my credit cards maxed out.
“I went out for milk and bread, and when I walked past a beggar I just decided to give him it all.”
