Cowell 'supported twins at rehearsals'

Simon Cowell reportedly expressed his support for John & Edward when they rehearsed their 'Ghostbusters' performance last week.

The X Factor judge effectively saved the twins when he voted to send home Lucie Jones on Sunday's results show - sending the decision to deadlock and the public vote, which Jones lost.

According to The Mirror, a source said of John & Edward: "They said Cowell had called them to one side as he was conscious that they were always getting abuse from him and told them to hang in there.

"They were delighted that he was not only being nice to them for a change, but respected them as artists in their own right."

It has been claimed that Cowell consulted X Factor executive producer Richard Holloway before yesterday's sing-off.