Meet Simon Cowell's nightmare: X Factor twins John and Edward who have zero tale

Shock finish: Twins John and Edward have managed to win over X Factor fans but Danyl Johnson hasn't

On the other hand, before the live shows even started, more than 100,000 Facebook users petitioned for them to go. They were deemed overconfident and arrogant as well as ridiculous. 'Vile, obnoxious gits,' reads a typical post.

They are the only X Factor act to get booed by the audience. But their performances - out of tune, out of step and completely camp - as well as their angel-faced good looks, have made them the best TV entertainment since John Sergeant murdered the tango on Strictly Come Dancing last year.
'I absolutely love them,' said Mark Feehily of Westlife, who performed on last week's show. 'They are fun, cute and really likeable. Are they the next Leona? Of course not. But The X Factor is an entertainment show. '

Judge Cheryl Cole, who was furious when her contestant Rikki Loney was voted out and the twins got to stay, said this week: 'You are my guilty pleasure. You're the ones I look forward to watching.' Simon, however, still thinks they are 'vile creatures'.

But even if they fail to make the final, they may well be the real winners of the show. After all, cheery, self-mocking Chico from the 2005 series was more successful than earnest 2004 winner Steve Brookstein.