Cole furious with 'X Factor' decision

Cheryl Cole has criticised X Factor voters and her fellow judges in the aftermath of Laura White's shock elimination.

The Girls Aloud singer admitted that she was furious to see White competing against Ruth Lorenzo in the final showdown and blamed "sympathy voters" for the result.

"They're not voting on talent, that's for definite. They're definitely not voting on the talent," Cole told Xtra Factor host Holly Willoughby. "That's been proven tonight."

"Do you know what, I've sat at home and done it myself - voted for people I like, people I've felt sorry for on the evening," she continued. "That's just how this show goes. But I'm actually stunned both of those girls were in the bottom two. I'm shocked."

Later, Cole claimed that Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh had only voted to save Lorenzo because they wanted to protect their own acts.

"I actually feel numb. I feel shocked," she explained. "I think it might have been a bit tactical if I'm totally honest with you."

Cole's 'Girls' category is now represented by Alexandra Burke and Diana Vickers. Meanwhile, Dannii Minogue is the only judge to have three acts remaining in the competition.