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Jedward are 'not aware how bad they are', says Simon Cowell
Updated 08:41am on 11 Nov 2009X Factor judge Simon Cowell may have saved John and Edward, but today he blasted them as "deluded" and declared: "They're not aware how bad they are."
Cowell gave his backing to the Grimes twins on Sunday's show - leading to Lucie Jones being given the boot - but today he said they were getting "progressively worse".
ITV has received more than 3,000 complaints about Cowell's decision to back "Jedward" which meant it went to the public vote over who would be dumped from the series.
Twins world: John and Edward Grimes are getting 'progressively worse' according to Cowell
But in an interview with the GMG Radio network - for its Help For Heroes day - Cowell again turned on the pair.
"They are deluded in such a funny way that they're genuinely not aware how bad they are. They just live in the twins' world.
"I haven't really had a proper conversation with them, but people who have spoken to them say they're just not aware of anything.
"They think they're pop stars and everything's fantastic and they obviously hear something different to the rest of the world," Cowell told presenter Chris Tarrant during the fundraising broadcast.
Cowell - who backed the pair after watching their performance of the Ghostbusters theme on Saturday night's show - said he struggled to think of "constructive" comments after the twins performed each week.
"I sit there thinking 'I've got to get over my personal feelings; I've got to find something positive or constructive to say at the end of this performance'. And each week they get progressively worse and that's when I get frustrated."
But he supported the public's decision to keep the pair in the competition.
"If you allow - which I think is right - the public to determine who wins, you've got to go with it. You don't have to agree with it but you have to go with it."
The Irish twins have become firm favourites with the public despite some erratic performances.
Broadcasting regular Ofcom has also received complaints about the chain of events which led to Jones being ditched and Jedward being saved.
Reader views (7)
I think you have all been had.
May I suggest that you all read "Chart throb" by Ben Elton. It may put a bit of perspective in your lives and it's funny too.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 11/11/2009 15:07
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Team Jedward!!!!
- Nat, London, 11/11/2009 14:58
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I am not going to watch x factor anymore, Simon said at one point that if he ever had the opportunity to get rid of the terrible twins he would, well he had it he didn't I am most disappointed in him, I always stick up for him and agree with most things I respected him for the way he told the contestants as it is no cotton wool he knows what he is talking about. BUT this week well no more he should have got rid of them I could do better than them he sand that is a fact, so no more x factor in our house my husband feels the same.
- Bridget Sampson, swindon wilts, 11/11/2009 11:21
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I voted for the twins as they are the most entertaining and full of energy and they do not come across as smug and cocky like one or two of the older contestants who seem desperate.
The youngsters have had a lot abuse hurled at them which is just rotten and the producers should keep the annoying and rude audience quiet during the show and ensure no booing as that is just out of order.
Lucie is great but Simon made the correct decision and the public had actually not voted for her like they have for the great twins. Good luck boys cant wait to see your super performance on Sat.x
- Mary, england, 11/11/2009 10:57
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Get a life and stop taking it all too seriously. People look sillly complaining about Lucie going out when the everyone who voted left her bottom and below the Twins.
Cowell is a disgrace for getting so personal about the twins. They are only and on national TV, why shouldn't they believe they are pop stars when others such have become stars with as little singing ability and less entertainment.
Go the twins!
- Jimmedward, London, 11/11/2009 10:36
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Why have a 'sing-off' if you just return to the public vote? The point is to judge the performance of the two acts at that moment. He has made the programme a joke. It is time to dump it and start again. Simon Cowell is not intelligent enough to understand how stupid he made the programme look. I won't bother watching now...back to Strictly and the BBC
- Jimmy, Fulham, 11/11/2009 10:36
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Simon Cowell is getting all this flack over his decision. Look at him now. He's back tracking trying to ease his own guilty conscience by making excuses. Close this show down because it's a farce. Louis Walsh is no prize either when a judge, such as he is, turns to the audience and gives them the fingers. The Sun today confirmed that by printing a picture of it. What has this show come to? I have watched the X-Factor faithfully ever since it's been on. This year it's a joke and I won't be watching it anymore because we all know who is going to win. People with some talent are being booted out to keep two idiotic wannabes who can't sing and act like a couple of space cadets. They're like the talentless hosts of a Saturday morning children's show. Lucie and Rachel should both still be in this competition. Everyone should boycott the show and no one should vote. Or maybe they should let the twins win this joke of a competition and let Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh feel the backlash of their favoritism toward the twins. The show will go down like a lead zeppelin. I won't be watching anymore.
- Michael Clark, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 11/11/2009 09:45
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