X Factor’s Liam Halewood dodges £600 taxi bill after Kellie Maloney backs him

X Factor’s Liam Halewood managed to dodge a £600 taxi bill after his mate took him on Judge Rinder.

The singer’s pal Thomas was looking to be reimbursed for fuel costs and loss of earnings on a Saturday night after driving Liam from Blackpool to Kent and back so he could sing at a private party at Kellie Maloney’s house.

But while the law appeared to be on Thomas’ side – especially after he produced a note signed by Liam promising to pay £600 for the journey – he walked away empty-handed.

Judge Rinder let ‘fabulous’ Liam off on a technicality.

Thomas took the former reality hopeful on the ITV show looking to claim £256.49 in fuel costs and lost income.

But Liam denied owing any money to Thomas.

The pair revealed that they met at a slimming club and were in a WhatsApp group together, which led to Liam reaching out to taxi driver Thomas for a ride to Kent for the special gig.

After explaining he worked as a "cabaret star, judge and a performer", Liam said he’d been booked to sing at a private party at Kellie’s home

Judge Rinder asked: "Would you do a gig for a famous person on the basis you might attract other work?"

Liam said he would and that he was "honoured" to be asked to perform by Kellie.

Liam told the judge he didn’t want to get public transport because he had to take his gear with him and because he "wanted a drink".

He says he asked Thomas for a taxi and was told to book it through his firm and that it would cost around £600.

However, believing he should get "mates’ rates", Liam didn’t book through the firm and asked Thomas the night before to take him, promising to cover the cost of petrol.

Kellie, who was paying Liam £200 to sing at her party, appeared in court as a witness for him, walking into the room with the help of a crutch.

And she told the judge of Liam’s performance: "The party was very good. He was very good, the more you give him to drink the more he’d come out and do."

Thomas’ grievance came from the fact that he drove Liam there and waited in the car before driving him home, and didn’t see a penny from Liam.

After becoming frustrated, he got Liam to sign a note promising to pay back the money, but decided to up the amount to the £600 he would have paid through the taxi firm.

In the end, this cost Thomas his victory in court.

Judge Rinder told Thomas that if he’d sued for the £600 that Liam had signed a promise to pay, he would have won without question.

But because Thomas was only asking for £256.49, and only had a verbal agreement for Liam for this amount, the case had to be dismissed with no money being awarded.

Liam, who described himself as an "airy fairy", said he skates through life and gets by because he’s so fabulous, and said he didn’t believe he owed Thomas any money, although he may buy him a drink to thank him.

The judge said: "You don’t have an enforceable contract because you have nothing in writing.

"You chose not to proceed for the £600 which you would have been rewarded."

The judge said while he couldn’t enforce it, he recommended Liam pay the money back out of good will.

But he made it clear he has no intention of doing that.

Speaking after the case, Thomas said: "In hindsight I should have asked for the £600 but didn’t want to be greedy."

Liam told him: "It’s one of them at the end of the day. I’m a loose cannon and I thought I’d probably get away with it, and I did.

"I just don’t feel like I owe you the money. I’ll just take the judges’ advice and take you for a drink instead."

* Judge Rinder airs weekdays on ITV from 2pm

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