MEAN Pop Idol judges told wannabe star Carla Winters she will never make it in music after doing topless modelling.

Carla, 24, of Crofton Lane, Petts Wood, was invited back onto the next series of ITV’s Pop Idol to be verbally slated by judges for doing glamour modelling. Ironically it was Pop Idol which first got her into Page 3 work she says.

On the last series, in which she made it into the final 50, she was told by judge Nicky Chapman glamour modelling could boost her music career. And Capital Radio DJ Dr Fox told her she had a Melinda Messenger-style Page 3 look.

Mother Terri Fletcher, 54, said: “They asked her on just to rip her apart. They told her she would never make it after becoming a Page 3 girl and that her voice had got worse.

“But I saw the other contestants and they looked and sounded awful. I think they really are scraping the barrel for this new series.

“I think they want someone who is innocent with no history, so I don’t know why they invited her.

“They were really mean. Carla is still doing glamour work because she needs money like anyone else. If I had a body like hers I would be doing the same thing.” During the audition for ITV’s Pop Idol 2, on June 6, Carla sang Let’s Stay Together by Al Green.

Most hurtful of all, says Mrs Fletcher, was when pop producer Simon Cowell said “American Idol contestants were of a much higher standard” and 75 per cent of those who got through to the final 50 last time “should not have been there”.

Production company Thames TV has already been criticised by contestants for dismissing some of the most talented performers and inviting back poor and unattractive performers for the amusement of the viewing public.