 Walsh was thought to have advised group Co-Ed on things such as song choices, which caused controversy after it was revealed that Walsh had previously managed the band after they appeared on the Irish version of "Popstars" in 2001.Around the same time footage of Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne coaching contestants to argue back to the judges was being sold to the highest bidder.Prior to the first live show, Cowell was accused by Osbourne of "rigging" the show by editing footage to make his contestants more appealing to viewers.