Ofcom investigates 'X Factor' competition

Ofcom has launched an investigation into an allegedly mishandled X Factor competition.

When a multiple-choice quiz on the October 22 show was shown for a second time during the programme, the order of the answers had seemingly been mixed up, The Guardian reports.

The telecoms regulator is looking into the matter after 13 complaints from members of the public.

Ofcom has also launched an investigation into the portrayal of contestant Frankie Cocozza's drinking in a pre-recorded video clip on the same show, and a third inquiry into his on-screen swearing on the October 23 results programme.

In 2008, Ofcom fined ITV £5.68 million following scandals regarding premium rate phone and text competitions.

The following year, Sky Sports was rapped by the regulator for charging Irish viewers who entered a competition that they could not win.

Last year, Ofcom cleared Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? following "human error" in an on-air competition.

While it ruled that the show had "materially misled" viewers by posing a different phone-in question to that shown on screen, it noted that the error was "spotted immediately" and rectified with the offer of a refund.