Simon Cowell Duped by X Factor Boy Band  9/10/06

Simon Cowell is fuming after discovering a wannabe boy band on his British talent show X Factor already have a management deal in place.

Avenue, who have made it through to the second stage, failed to declare they had a management deal after being put together by pop mogul Ashley Tabor.

The discovery has left Cowell and fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh seething.

A spokesperson for the show says, "They only found out about this in the past few days and they are livid.

"Ashley and the boys have hoodwinked the judges, the production company, everybody. Ashley admitted he had a management deal with Avenue and we are investigating. We will take whatever action is necessary.

"This goes against the whole nature of the show."