Frankie Cocozza has admitted that he has been avoiding talking to his former X Factor mentor Gary Barlow.

The 18 year old singer was sent home from the show last week, over boasts that he had been taking illegal drugs just hours after performing on a live episode.

Although he doesn’t seem to have let the axing get him down and has been pictured out partying on numerous occasions since leaving the ITV series, a sheepish Frankie told heat magazine that he can’t face talking to Gary yet and has been avoiding his phonecalls for days.

Cocozza is so ashamed, that he can’t bear to be in contact with the dad of three, who he admits was ‘amazing’ to him over the last few months.

“I just can’t face it. He’s texted, saying, “Give me a call, mate,” but I feel so bad,’ he said.

“I think I’ll completely crack up if I talk to him.”

When asked if he felt he had let the star down, Frankie replied “so, so badly.”

“I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing he was… I feel so bad for letting him down.”

Max Clifford has claimed that Frankie could rake in £1 million between now and Christmas if he stays off drugs, gets into a recording studio and talks to the right people.

It has been reported that he may also join some of his fellow X Factor pals on tour early next year, but this has not yet been confirmed by official sources.