X Factor reject Nikk Mager has claimed that Cheryl Cole disapproves of the way he was treated on the programme.

The former boyband star first met Cole six years ago when they were both contestants on Popstars: The Rivals. While Cheryl went on to have huge success with the show's girl group Girls Aloud, Mager did not make it into boyband One True Voice.

Mager formed boyband Phixx with other Popstars runner-ups in 2003, but they broke up three years later. He hoped that X Factor would provide him with a second chance at fame, but his dreams were shattered by Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue.

"Cheryl has told me the other judges were 'bang out of order' over the way I was treated," Nikk told the Daily Star. "And I had a text from Kimberley from the band saying she was shocked at what happened and that Simon and Louis just 'had it in for me' from the start.

"I think some words might need to be said if the rest of the girls meet those judges."

Cole refused to judge Mager at the auditions, claiming that it would be too "weird". However, Cowell instructed the hopeful to stop chasing a pop career, while Walsh told him that he lacked a "great voice".

However, Nikk insisted: "I didn't do a bad audition and feel I should have gone through. But I will prove the judges wrong by getting a record deal and a hit."