Thursday 6th December 2012 by Grace Carroll | Photos by WENN

Tags: X Factor

Ah, poor Christopher Maloney. His nan speaking out to defend him isn't going to do anything against the constant accusations that he's just not cool.

Nevertheless, Pat O'Brien - who is seventy-six years old - has said that when the judges bully and insult Chris Maloney, it affects the whole family.

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Pat says that Chris is still struggling with nerves, despite the fact that he's had hours of therapy from the show's medical team in an attempt to overcome them.

Speaking about the comments from the judges, she said, "Those comments - they might as well say them to me - they're cutting me in two even worse.

"It's like bullying. Nobody else on the show gets those comments. I'm behind Christopher all the way, but it's killing me doing it."

She added, "He's human, he's got a heart, and a kind word costs nothing."

Christopher Maloney performs an impromptu gig onboard the Mersey Ferry

Chris doesn't seem to disagree with his nan's assessment, as the singer recently slammed Tulisa and Louis Walsh for constantly giving him such a hard time.

Speaking at his homecoming gig in Liverpool, the controversial contestant told the audience, "I've had the worst time out of anybody in regards of critique and lies told about me with people making-up crazy stories.

"But I'm in the final three now so hopefully the next time I come back to Liverpool I'll be crowned the winner of the X Factor, so fingers crossed.

"I want to prove Tulisa and Louis wrong about me the most because they've given me such a hard time."

Watch a video of Maloney's audition below:

X Factor: from the early days to a bubble ready to burst