Martin Bashir branded 'an idiot' and 'embarrassment' for X Factor stint

Martin Bashir says some of his BBC colleagues have called him "an idiot" and "an embarrassment" for taking part in \'The X Factor: Celebrity\'.

The 56-year-old journalist admits competing on the ITV talent show has been "humiliating" at times, but he is confident he is making "some progress".

He said: "It has been humiliating. Some of my colleagues at the BBC have sneered a bit and said, \'Oh, you look like an idiot. What an embarrassment.\'

"But I feel I\'ve tried something new. I do feel I\'ve made some progress.

"Not a lot, but some progress."

Martin suffered a faux pas during last week\'s live show when he forgot his lyrics to Lionel Richie\'s \'Easy\', and he has admitted it was a "terrible" moment.

He said: "To be full faced and after 36 years of radio and television and never, ever have forgotten my lines, to do that was just terrible.

"A lot of people said I was an idiot for doing it, and they\'ve been proved right."

However, Martin has a chance at redemption after the British public voted for him to remain in the competition, and he is determined to "get this right" on Saturday\'s (09.11.19) show.

Speaking on \'Good Morning Britain\', he added: "People were incredibly kind and I\'m in debt to that. I have to repay their kindness.

"The public decided that they wanted me to stay and so I\'ve been working every single hour to try to get this right. And that\'s what I\'ve got to get this right."

Jonny Labey and Victoria Ekanoye were eliminated from last week\'s show.