Walsh defends 'X Factor' decision

Louis Walsh defended his decision to eliminate X Factor star Laura White after facing a backlash from fans last night.

White was voted off after competing against Ruth Lorenzo in the final showdown, with Walsh's deciding vote sealing her fate.

The Irish judge was booed loudly by the studio audience as he discussed his dilemma on ITV2's Xtra Factor spinoff, but he insisted that voters were to blame for the shock result.

"Do you know what? They can boo all they want," Walsh responded. "The girls were in the bottom two, somebody didn't vote for them. People at home often vote for the person they feel sorry for most of all."

Asked to name a contestant who is "getting away with" delivering poor performances each week, he replied: "Daniel [Evans], by a mile."

"But you know, there's going to be someone in the bottom two every week," Walsh continued. "One person's going to win the series. But when Ruth sang 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', wow! I had to keep her."

Meanwhile, Dannii Minogue spoke out in defence of her fellow judge, claiming that he bears the brunt of criticism because he is called on to cast his elimination vote last.

"Louis has had it every week [when] it gets to his deciding vote," she explained. "It's the hardest seat to sit in. Please don't put me in that seat!"