The dad of X Factor hopeful Annastasia Baker has hit out at show boss Simon Cowell for comparing his daughter to a tranny.

The mum of one was featured on last night’s audition show and was seen singing ‘Proud Mary for the judges. However, before she even began to sing, Simon turned to Cheryl Cole and branded her image as ‘dreadful.’ In scenes unaired, the music mogul is also said to have compared the 21 year old to a tranny and criticised her dress sense.

Simon wasn’t a big fan of Annastasia’s song choice either, halfway through her first song he stopped her and said:

“This is like one of these terrible Tina Turner acts. I’ve seen trannies do better. You’re a better singer than that.”

Ian Baker hit out at Simon in an interview with The News Of The World. He said:

“Simon used some harsh words. I don’t think what was said was fair.

“Annastasia spent a lot of money on her image and had poured time and effort into it. No father wants to hear his daughter being called a tranny, ­especially after everything she has been through with the show in the past.”

His daughter had previously auditioned for the show and made it to the judges houses stage in 2008 but had a bit of a breakdown when she messed up her final performance and Cheryl Cole was forced to drop her before the live shows. Annastasia later blamed the breakdown on postnatal depression and her dad worries that the criticism from Simon, will ruin her recent progress.

“I just want Annastasia to go the whole way this time and fulfil her dreams,” he said.

“She’s wanted this for so long and she ­deserves it.”

He added:

“After Annastasia was on the show last time, the support came to a dead end.

“It was business as usual for the producers and ­judges, and they just moved on to finding a new star. They should have picked Annastasia up – not put her down in they way they did.

“The X Factor is the kind of show that can make or break you. You either go on and have a brilliant career, or alternatively it can destroy you. I just hope that this time around ­Annastasia is treated fairly on the show, and that she is looked after.”