ITV overcharged 'X Factor' voters

ITV has admitted overcharging voters during the last series of The X Factor by £200,000.

Viewers who voted through Sky's red button were charged 50p per go when the cost should have been 35p. Others who entered a prize draw were undercharged, paying 35p instead of £1.

The broadcaster said an audit had confirmed the mistake and blamed a “data inputting error” which affected the service between October 14 and December 16 last year.

Producers announced they would make a £200,000 donation to Childline and, for those who complain, return the 15p difference. Icstis, the premium phone line watchdog, has been notified.

A spokesman said: "We very much regret that a mistake was made in the red button payment systems during the last series of The X Factor and we apologise to all those viewers affected.

“ITV operates a robust audit system which closely monitors interactive revenues and this system picked up the incorrect pricing at the first available opportunity."

Any viewers wanting to claim should call freephone 0800 636263 or visit www.itv.com/help.