Vanilla Ice: 'I hadn't heard of Jedward'

Vanilla Ice has admitted that he had not heard of X Factor's John & Edward until a couple of weeks ago.

The '90s rap star, real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle, admitted that he had been watching the Irish duo's TV performances online over the past month.

"I think they're great. I didn't know anything about them until a couple of weeks ago - but YouTube is a great thing," he told the ITN. "I got the invite to come over here. The song is great and it is a compliment to me."

When asked whether he would be touring with the Grimes brothers, he said: "We don't know yet. There is so much being thrown right now at these guys. They are young and have so much nervous energy and I'm just feeding off that."

Speaking about the twins' iconic haircut, the rapper added: "I had my hair like that. That is why it is such a huge compliment. This is me now. They wanted me to come out with the old jacket on and all of that, but I just said, 'Let them do it. It is their gig. I'll just fit in, where I fit in'."

Vanilla Ice scored a four-week number one in the UK with 'Ice Ice Baby' in 1991.

John & Edward's version of the track, which they premiered at the National Television Award's last night, will be released on January 31.