Simon Cowell slams X Factor fixing claims

The show boss has hit back at rumours the Sunday night's X Factor was fixed to keep Cher Lloyd in the competition

Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell - X Factor judges go to war - X Factor split - X Factor 2010 - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell - X Factor judges go to war - X Factor split - X Factor 2010 - Celebrity News - Marie Claire
(Image credit: Rex Features)

The show boss has hit back at rumours the Sunday night's X Factor was fixed to keep Cher Lloyd in the competition

Simon Cowell has waded in on the latest X Factor scandal, arguing that claims of fixing are complete 'nonsense'.

The show boss decided to comment following a barrage of complaints were lodged by angry fans to both ITV and Ofcom, who believed the Sunday night results show had been fixed to allow Cher Lloyd to go through to the grand final next week.

Viewers argued that in previous series the contestant that left during the semi-final was decided by public vote, rather than the sing off that occurred between Cher and Mary Byrne on Sunday night.

But Cowell claims, 'We haven't done anything wrong'.

Speaking to The Sun he commented, 'All the artists knew there was going to be a sing-off. Mary and Cher were told last Monday to prepare a song for a sing-off if necessary.'

Explaining the change in format, the judge added that the change was due to having four acts, rather than three, in the final: 'There has always been a sing-off when there are five people left in the competition. This is a lot of nonsense about nothing.'

But things aren’t all bad for Mary. The latest X Factor casualty already has scored a record deal with Sony.

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