The no seX Factor: Contestants slapped with nookie ban after four semi-finalists ... - Mirror.co.uk

FURIOUS X Factor bosses slapped a sex ban on ­contestants after FOUR semi-finalists tried to take lovers to their hotel rooms on the same night.

James Arthur, Chris Maloney and two members of Union J all took partners back to the five-star pad in the early hours of Thursday morning.

But when the stars, who all performed on last night's show, tried to sneak them up to their rooms at 3am, security guards turned each one of them away.

Our pictures show James kissing his date, a mystery brunette. Union J member Josh Cuthberty, out with bandmate George Shelley, was getting close to a blonde, while JJ Hamblett arrived later with a girl on his arm.

James Arthur, 24, and the Union J boys accepted the knock-back and gave up, sending their girls into the night, but Chris apparently refused to be beaten and disappeared off into a private room with his date.

The singer, who has a long-term partner, emerged a few minutes later before going up to his room at the £600-a-night hotel alone.

The next day, security told senior producers about the contestants' antics and they called an immediate meeting.

Bosses gave them a stern ­dressing down???and told them not to bring ­people back to the hotel in any circumstances.

They also questioned their commitment in the week ofthe semi-final.

A show source said: "There's been talk of sex bans in ­previous series, but this time they are ­deadly ­serious. The contestants are ­staying at one of the most ­exclusive hotels in London.

"They can't just treat it like a bachelor pad and bring scantily-clad girls back at all times of the day and night.

"They all went to an event on Tuesday night and at various times of Thursday ­morning they re-emerged at the hotel with ­partners. But when they tried to sneak them up to their rooms, security turned them away.

"James was with a girl he was pictured with earlier in the week and he and the Union J boys kicked up a bit of a fuss, but gave up pretty quickly.

"But Chris took his date and they went off into a private room just off the lobby. They stayed in there for quite a while, before Chris came out looking a bit sheepish.

"He's on dodgy ground because he's actually with someone long-term back in Liverpool."

The source added: "When producers got wind of what had gone on, they called a meeting straight away and told them in no uncertain terms that kind of ­behaviour will not be tolerated.

"The bosses also told them to havea long hard look at themselves. Theyare in the semi-final week of the biggest competition they will ever take part in. They're one step away from the final and should be concentrating on their performances, not pulling."

James Arthur, from South Shields on Tyneside, has become the ladies' man of this series. He has regularly been ­pictured with women after nights out on the town.

In October, he was seen emerging from Mayfair nightspot Whiskey Mist with Take Me Out star Chanelle ­McCleary.

Before he arrived back at the hotel on Tuesday, he was pictured with the same brunette outside celeb hangout Mahiki.

He ­presented her with a red rose before leading her into a cab.

He had gone to the club with Union J after attending the Prince's Trust Comedy Gala at the Royal Albert Hall.

Liverpudlian Maloney, 34, had been out for a night on his own. Our source said: "This reallyis the last chance for the contestants, they have to realise they're on this show to work hard, not go out partying."

Yesterday an X Factor ­spokesperson said: "The contestants have been reminded about their conduct while they are in the competition."