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Jedward in 'fix' storm after claim their microphones are turned down
Updated 13:00pm on 17 Nov 2009X Factor twins John and Edward were at the centre of "fix" claims today following reports that soundmen have been ordered to mask their weak vocals.
Drowned sound: Jedward are at the centre of a new scandal
The Irish 18-year-olds - whose lack of singing talent has sparked criticism of the ITV show - received some of their highest praise from judges following their rendition of Queen's Under Pressure on Saturday night.
But according to reports, technicians were ordered to lower the levels on their microphones so their voices were drowned out by a pre-recorded backing track.
Show chiefs responded to the the allegations today to say contestants had "technical support".
The Sun today quoted a programme source who claimed: "Every week session singers record backing tracks to some songs. But soundmen are told to turn down the levels of the twins' mics so their vocals are mostly covered by the backing singers. Often mics are so low the twins' singing would be barely audible."
However, a spokeswoman for production company talkbackThames said all X Factor hopefuls receive an "equal amount" of technical help for their live performances.
She said: "All contestants sing live on Saturday night and all are given an equal amount of technical support to ensure they give the best live performance they can.
"Technical support is standard for all artists when giving live vocal performances."
It is not the first time the twins have been at the centre of controversy.
The show was criticised after they survived their sing-off against Lucie Jones when judge Simon Cowell controversially let the judges' vote go to deadlock. It meant the public votes saved the pair.
And at the weekend chart act Calvin Harris crashed the stage with a pineapple on his head during John and Edward's performance, later claiming he did it to "make a mockery" of the competition and its "terrible" music.
Reader views (25)
I despair of the people who watch this dross - it is nothing more than a vehicle for Simon Cowell to print money. When people care more about this rubbish than what really matters in the world, its no wonder that this country is going to the dogs.
- Sally, hertford UK, 18/11/2009 11:49
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PEOPLE WAKE UP !!!!!!!! I am horrified that there are so many of you watching this drivel. PLEASE, PLEASE; stop it !
- Roderick Mackintosh, berlin germany, 18/11/2009 10:31
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X Factor has always been marketed as a talent contest, and this season's shenanigans proves it is not, it is merely another vehicle with which to line Simon Cowell's very deep pockets. Until 2 weeks ago, I'd never missed a show, now I can't be bothered. As Leona Lewis said this week, most of the talent has gone already. I might start watching again next season if they have a panel of 3 judges and not 4, at least then they can't chicken out and pass it back to the public, thus making a mockery of the "sing-off". Jedward are rubbish but it will serve Cowell right if they win, as then he will be lumbered with them.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK, 18/11/2009 10:26
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I think these guys were truly exposed during the charity song , their solo contribution, or duet contribution was about half a second long, by far the smallest part of any of the finalists! I think they'll wind up fronting some TV show for the tweenies.
- Westl, Putney England, 18/11/2009 09:58
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I love them!
- Linda, Uxbridge, Middlesex, 18/11/2009 09:57
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Without meaning to be, Jedward are a hilarious parody of the whole X Factor karoake marathon and they deserve all the success coming their way. Just hope they are managed well and looked after as they are young boys still.
Go Jedward!
- Them Grimes Do Chime!, London, 18/11/2009 09:44
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"only one of the boys was moving his lips. This show's a nonsense."
This is jedwards one accomplishment. They can move their lips. If they could speak properly theu might one day be able to imitate Ant and dec and if they could learn to sing they could do The Muppets. They are already halfway there in my opinion
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Spot on Keith but at least those who ran the Muppet show had REAL talent!
- Mowdiwarp, Huddersfield, West Yorks, 18/11/2009 09:34
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Whatever their singing ability there is no doubt at all theat they are very, very entertaining more so than those who just sing .......one of the causes that effects just singers is surely because in most cases on this particular programme the songs chosen, picked or ordered are rather disinteresting inane or pathetic.
- Toldasitis, London, 18/11/2009 08:41
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hmmm, technical help? it didn't work, they still sounded awful : )
- Sharon, London, 18/11/2009 08:40
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Pah, Haven't they the reporters who came up with this "fix" tosh watched Jedward's Sky News interview? They were great, yes they can't really sing or dance but vocally out there during that sky interview they were really good! If you think this was a technical fix check out mimming Cheryl Cole's live stage performaces on her hit single (Fight For this Love) now that's what I call a "fix" Let's face it she's not really a great singer is she?. Heck I bet she gets more technical support than the twins!
- George, Brixton, London, 17/11/2009 21:15
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Leona Lewis yelps out a piercing vocal with smallest of portions of personality and somehow manages to get to number two in the charts, cheryl cole no vocal to belt out but with stunning looks and a chirpy, though equally depressing number one single. It does have a bit of a catchy tune so the current state of the British charts with Jls number one then anybody can get to number one, no real talent required. The twins are unique, very very handsome and very stoical and therefore inspirational in the face of rude people. I vote for them every week as they get better each week.
- Mary, england, 17/11/2009 18:02
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I am pleased that I have evoked a response from the two K's (Keith and Kev). I was only comparing their weak voices, not their greatness. To elaborate further, people even listen to whiny voices like Sting. The point is, a strong beautiful voice is not essential to be a great singing performer and so judging the contestants should not just be about voice. John & Edward may not have strong voices, but do sing in tune and are not tone deaf.
- Garyoflondon, London, UK, 17/11/2009 17:24
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Rod Stewart and bob dylan, Garyoflondon, London, UK,, how on earth can you even mention them in the same breath as these 2 talent less twins. Both the former have been around for 40yrs and can still pack wembley! ha can you see anybody of x factor doing that,i think not. How dumbed down can you get,im incredulous at you comparison.
- Kev, London-UK, 17/11/2009 16:09
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Having a weak voice has not stopped Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, James Blunt, Robbie Williams, etc., from being great stars£
I can't believe you put the names Bob Dylan and Jedward in the same sentence ! The world's greatest singer-songwriter in half a millennium and the musical equivalent of Stavros Flatley
- Keith Price, Luton, Emgland, 17/11/2009 15:58
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Jedward are Britain's way of burying this program for ever.
Keep on voting Jedward folks, I want to see Cowell leave the country as he promised.
- Simon, London, 17/11/2009 15:26
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Everyone knows that the strength of their voices is not the main selling feature of John & Edward and so everyone should stop harping on about it. Having a weak voice has not stopped Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, James Blunt, Robbie Williams, etc., from being great stars, and it should not be a hindrance to John & Edward as they offer charisma, energy, freshness, etc. I am not sure why everyone is so fixated on a strong diva-ish voice. It seems that everyone who is concerned about a strong voice is a hippocrit as they voted off Rachel and she had the best voice in the competition. Jo is the best of who is left from a voice perspective, but John & Edward are already the winners..
- Garyoflondon, London, UK, 17/11/2009 15:19
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I wish people would realise that this is the music equivalent of WWF wrestling. Everything is staged and choreographed! Having talent is not a requirement.
- Paul, London, 17/11/2009 15:16
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"only one of the boys was moving his lips. This show's a nonsense."
This is jedwards one accomplishment. They can move their lips. If they could speak properly theu might one day be able to imitate Ant and dec and if they could learn to sing they could do The Muppets. They are already halfway there in my opinion
- Keith Price, Luton, Emgland, 17/11/2009 14:55
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its not that they have had songs that last two weeks wher you sing anyway!
- Paul ., Central London, 17/11/2009 14:53
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X Factor, the voting public and the twins deserve each other.
- John, Twickenham, 17/11/2009 14:00
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If people feel so strongly about it, why didn't they pick up the phone and vote for Lucie?!!!! Get over it!
- Thelala, London, 17/11/2009 14:00
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Simply emphasises that Sting was right in his recent criticism.
- Peter, Ipswich UK, 17/11/2009 13:51
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Isn't that what a sound engineer is supossed to do, make contestants
sound their best? Another non story promoting this ITV rubish.
- Tony Sparks, London, 17/11/2009 13:49
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This was clear last week in the sing off against Lucy. While, she simply belted out her song, Jedwood's two weak and tuneless vocals were supported by a vocal backing track. I could hear several voices singing although only one of the boys was moving his lips. This show's a nonsense.
- Rebecca, North London, 17/11/2009 13:08
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I notice they had lots of vocal lead in the charity single too "oooh" I think it was. Absolute rubbish, although the Jed part of the twosome can possible pass as a weak singer and dancer and is carrying the Ward part of the twosome. And I mean weak.
- Sandra, London, 17/11/2009 12:45
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