Loney: 'I should have changed song'

Rikki Loney has said that he should not have sung 'Respect' for diva week on The X Factor.

The contestant was voted off the show for his performance after the track choice was criticised by superstar Whitney Houston and Sony executive Clive Davis.

Loney told The Sun: "I should have listened to Whitney. They advised me to change. I'd have liked to, but there just wasn't any time. It was literally 24 hours before the performance.

"I couldn't do it. Too much work had gone on - days had been spent working out the routine. I knew 'Respect' was a massive risk. It didn't pay off."

The Glaswegian singer has told DS that the decision to perform the song was made jointly with mentor Cheryl Cole and that he did not blame her for his exit.

Regarding fellow competitors John & Edward, who were criticised by Cole, Loney added: "They are really, really entertaining. We all cheer for them backstage. They work so hard. Out of everyone, they're the ones that rehearse the most.

"They are really focused and driven. They have got the thickest skin ever they are not fazed by anything anyone says about them. They just laugh.

"The public are voting to keep them in because they are being entertained. They have definitely got the X factor."