Joe 'accidentally hit Lucie with prop'

Joe McElderry was reportedly left devastated after he accidentally hit fellow X Factor contestant Lucie Jones in the face with a tambourine during a rehearsal.

According to The Sun, the incident happened when the finalists were practising for yesterday's group rendition of Alphabeat's 'Fascination'.

A source said: "Poor Lucie was smacked square in the face. She grabbed her nose and everyone feared she'd broken it.

"But it was just a nasty bruise so we covered it with extra-thick make-up. Joe was devastated. He's the least violent person in the world. He just kept apologising. Lucie got over it eventually and calmed down. But it was a bit of a shock."

Another insider told the newspaper: "Lucie looked very miffed, even though Joe obviously didn't mean it. Everyone is hoping there are no repercussions later because things are tense enough as it is.

"It's a really delicate balance in the house because you want everyone to get on well - but they're all competing against each other. As the weeks count down the bitching and bad vibes increase. So the last thing needed is contestants flinging tambourines at each other."

Last week, eliminated contestant Rikki Loney denied reports of tension between the singers.