Dannii lover: 'Result was disgraceful'

Dannii Minogue's boyfriend Kris Smith has blasted Simon Cowell for voting against Lucie Jones on The X Factor.

Welsh singer Jones, who was mentored by Minogue, became the fifth act to be eliminated in last night's controversial results episode. She was announced as the contestant with the fewest votes after Cowell chose to save her sing-off rivals John & Edward, bringing the judges' verdict to deadlock.

Model and former rugby player Smith has now spoken out in support of his lover's ex-protégé on Twitter, The Sun reports.

He commented: "Gutted for poor Lucie, what a disgraceful decision. Can't believe she went out, thought I was watching a SINGING TALENT show, obviously wrong."

Meanwhile, Minogue has used her own Twitter page to drum up support for her last remaining act Stacey Solomon.

She said: "Support Stacey - it's the only way forward!"