The sickie witch of the West is facing the sack over X Factor audition
A woman who pulled a sickie to audition for The X Factor is facing the sack – after her bosses saw her on the show.
Fiona Robertson, 25, performed in front of Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole in a bizarre routine as the Wicked Witch of the West in April this year.
But she is now facing disciplinary action after she was recognised by her bosses at Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset, where she works as a £50,000-a-year entertainer.
Fiona had claimed she was ill with flu on the day of the audition but was rumbled when a preview of the new series featuring her picture appeared in newspapers.
Daniel Medley, director of Wookey Hole Caves, said Fiona is now facing disciplinary action.
He said: ''We have been extremely pleased with how well Fiona has settled in and taken to the role – she has an enchanting way with people.
''But we now feel very let down and cannot believe that she has used her fame from Wookey Hole Caves to further her career while still working for us.
''I was genuinely shocked when I saw her in the papers, she was even wearing her Wookey Witch costume.
''This is just totally unacceptable and we are considering disciplinary action.''
Fiona, from Taunton, Somerset, began working as the Wookey Witch in August 2009.
Fiona yesterday pledged to apologise and revealed she has not yet been suspended from her post.
2 Comments
by Midsomer Norton, Midsomer Norton
Thursday, August 19 2010, 3:27PM
“Ohhh, is this the same witch that auditioned for the Wookey Hole witch about two years ago when there was a massive witch hunt which was advertised in all the papers? The salary was £50k and I remember thinking I should go for it. Turns out after a big media search...the witch that was chose already worked for a PR firm for Wookey Hole if I recall. I think this is just another publicity stunt for Wookey Hole.”
by Colin, Somerset
Thursday, August 19 2010, 12:55PM
“Didn't she consider beforehand that the show would be broadcast and that she might be seen ?? !!
Rather harsh to sack her but a final written warning should be sufficient.
She should consider that there aren't that many jobs around at £50K pa.
Perhaps she could get a job as a clown and that her employers consider employing people with a modicum of intelligence in the future?
Discipline, not sack.”