Ananova:

Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman has broken his silence on competition winner Michelle McManus - branding her "rubbish".

Waterman stormed off the set after McManus beat Marc Rhodes in the Pop Idol final, and predicts her pop career will be over in weeks, says The Sun.

"The winner was rubbish and I think her low sales probably reflect that. She won't even last six months," said Waterman.

He also accused fellow judge Simon Cowell of having an "agenda" for ITV's Pop Idol 2, saying: "He wanted Michelle to win and she did.

"Will Young was a fantastic winner, Michelle is not. She is simply not a big talent and is certainly not a pop idol. Even the people of Scotland are bored with her," added Waterman.

But Neil Fox has come to her defence, saying: "Pete has behaved like a prat. I wish he'd shut up and be happy for Michelle. She's got a great voice and I think the public are really warming to her."