Sharon Osbourne defends Saara Aalto: 'It's not as if she's from Afghanistan with a gun'

Sharon Osbourne has hit out at people who insist Saara Aalto shouldn’t win The X Factor because she’s from Finland.

The X Factor judge leapt to the defence of her contestant – who is favourite to win the talent show this weekend – with some unusual comments.

She told the Daily Mirror: “It’s not as if she is from Afghanistan with a machine gun on her back … she’s from Finland!”

Sharon also insisted Britain is “great” because it allows people to come into the country regardless of their nationality and race, so urged people to get behind her act.

She added: “I think that’s what makes Britain great, it opens its door to so many nationalities and races.

“We let people into our country and we accept them for who and what they are. We have never been the sort of nation to say you can’t come in here because you are from wherever.”

Saara has invited her fiancee Meri Sopanen and her ex-boyfriend Teemu Roivainen to the final at London’s Wembley Arena this weekend.

Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, when asked if her ex-boyfriend will be joining her, she confirmed: “Yes, he’s coming.”

And asked when she will be exchanging vows with her fiance, she replied revealed: “I think we’re going to wait for maybe another two years, we will see.”

Saara will compete against 5 After Midnight and Matt Terry in the first leg of this weekend’s finale on Saturday.