Walsh: 'Irish viewers slagged off twins'

Louis Walsh has admitted that Irish viewers failed to support John & Edward in the early weeks of The X Factor.

The boyband manager told The Gerry Ryan Show that he was disappointed when the Dublin-born brothers did not receive the backing of their homeland after making their debut on the show.

Walsh commented: "They got a really hard time from people in Ireland, from people who have never met them and didn't know them.

"I had it before with Boyzone and different bands before. People slag you off - it's a weird thing, it's an Irish thing."

The star, who hails from County Mayo, also admitted that his opinion that the boys cannot win the programme has not changed since their shock sing-off survival on Sunday.

He said: "Honestly, I don't think they can win. I think there is a possibility of getting to the final."