Ofcom probes X Factor complaints (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Ofcom probes X Factor complaints

12:03am Tuesday 10th November 2009

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Simon Cowell's decision to let the public decide who was to be voted off the latest episode of The X Factor sparked complaints to Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator has confirmed.

Welsh teenager Lucie Jones was kicked off the talent show after the public chose twins John and Edward Grimes to go through to the next round.

The Irish twins have become firm favourites with the public despite some erratic performances.

The decision to open up the voting has been criticised in some quarters due to the twins' apparent popularity.

An Ofcom spokeswoman confirmed that complaints had been made but would not confirm how many had been received.

She said: "We will assess the complaints against the Broadcasting Code."

The twins said they were wracked with guilt after knocking Jones out of the show.

The 18-year-old joined the boys, nicknamed "Jedward", in the bottom two in front of the biggest audience the ITV talent show has ever received.

She said the twins, who have been criticised for their lack of singing talent, felt guilty about staying in the competition.

When it was his turn to vote, Cowell said he would prefer to see the boys again rather than Jones, but left the final decision to viewers as that meant the vote was "deadlocked".

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