Steve Brookstein launches into shocking Twitter tirade against The X Factor as he claims the show will reference Simon Cowell's late mum as an emotional tool

He's never been shy when it comes to criticising the show that made his name.

But former X Factor winner Steve Brookstein, 47, has made arguably his most shocking critique yet, after claiming Sunday night's live final show will use the death of Simon Cowell's mother as an emotional tool.

The bitter singer referenced the music mogul's late mum Julie in two tweets to his 19,500 followers on Sunday afternoon, after ridiculing the show for its declining viewing figures.

Scroll down for video 

A step too far? Steve Brookstein, 47, has made arguably his most shocking critique of the X Factor yet, after claiming the show would use the death of Simon Cowell's mother as an emotional ploy

Winner of the first series of the show back in 2004, Brookstein wrote: 'X Factor winner's single will be a charity record and will remind Cowell of his mum. Did I mention it's for charity? By the way Louisa is 17.'

And he then hit out at the judge's comments following Louisa's stunning performance of I Believe I Can Fly on Saturday night's live episode.

He said: 'X Factor's scripted "Angel" comment will run again tonight and a mention of people no longer with us (Cowell's mum) - cue tears.'

See the latest X Factor news on Simon Cowell after Steve Brookstein's comments 

Heartbroken: Simon Cowell was left devastated after his mum Julie died in July, aged 89

Controversial: The ex-winner claimed the show would look to use the death of Simon's mum to its benefit

No holding back: To ensure he drilled his point home he posted a second tweet referencing Simon's mum

The singer didn't let up there, stating that 'angel' was purposely used as a Christmas reference and viewers should expect more festive links as the show looked to capitalise on the holiday. 

He said: '"Angel" is the theme for X Factor tonight. Keep an eye out for more Christmas links to help flog the winner's single.' 

Simon's mother, Julie Brett, died on July 5 this year aged 89, after being ill for a long time following a stroke she suffered in 2014.

The death of Julie left the talent show boss understandbly 'devastated'. Simon's father, Eric - who his son with girlfriend Lauren Silverman is named after - died in 1999.

Brookstein's comments come after viewing figures for Saturday's X Factor revealed the show hit an all time low of 5.7 million.

The ex-winner tweeted: 'Oh no!! X Factor now has less viewers than I had votes.'

Cynical: Brookstein claimed the show would drop in festive links in a bid to boost sales of the winner's single

Brookstein's latest outburst comes just a month after he likened Olly Murs' Monica Michael eviction gaffe to a doctor wrongly diagnosing someone with HIV.

In two separate posts, he wrote: 'Oops Olly Murs let that slip... You're going home. Oops sorry not you're not. Oh yes you are. #XFactor.'

Before adding: 'Dr Murs, 'Sorry you have HIV, actually no, sorry I'm wrong. You haven't. My mistake. Hold on, yes, sorry you have HIV. Sorry.' #XFactor.'

The insensitive comments were posted during an X Factor results show, which saw presenter Murs make an error in announcing that contestant Monica Michaels would be leaving the show, before it was actually time to reveal her fate.

Old sparring partners: Steve and Simon have never seen eye-to-eye since he was the first winner of the show back in 2004

Followers of Brookstein were quick to criticise his unsavoury remarks, but he fought back as he claimed they had all misunderstood the context of his quip.

See the latest X Factor news on Steve Brookstein's comments on Olly Murs' blunder

User Tom [PositiveLad] ‏@PositiveLad wrote: '@simonwbrown @stevebrookstein joking about Olly Murs messing up the X-factor results. Cause you know HIV is such a laugh.'

Brookstein responded: '@PositiveLad if I said broken leg would that be ok? What about people with broken legs? They may offended. Oh no.'

He added: 'It's about exaggeration. The joke is not about HIV, it's about messing up news.'

Further remarks were sent in his direction, and he batted them all away by explaining they had all misunderstood the context of his joke. 

Heartbroken: Simon was famously moved to tears earlier in this year's X Factor when Josh Daniels performed Labrinth's Jealous just days after Julie's death