'X Factor' chiefs 'helped John & Edward'

X Factor producers have been accused of boosting the chances of controversial twins John and Edward by changing Saturday night's running order at the last minute.

According to the Daily Star, the brothers had been due to sing first in the latest performance episode, but were moved to the eighth slot just one hour before the show went on air.

Performing first on The X Factor is traditionally seen as a disadvantage because voting lines do not open until the end of the show. Many fans believe that viewers are more likely to support acts who are fresh in their memories when the poll goes live.

An X Factor spokeswoman confirmed: "The order was changed, but this has happened before. Often after a rehearsal, producers may decide to alter the order to change the pace of the show or for technical reasons."

She added: "The fact that John and Edward sang towards the end of the show means nothing."

The Dublin-born twins discovered that they had been backed by the public for the fourth consecutive week last night as they escaped being in the bottom two. Meanwhile, Rachel Adedeji was voted off the show after finding herself in the sing-off for a third time.