How Chinese envoy became a diplomatic judge of the X Factor stars

"Stacey has been more and more brave and being well-liked must have been great encouragement"

But now it has emerged that ambassador Madam Fu Ying is a huge fan of the contest and enjoys watching it at every opportunity.

"I am impressed by John and Edward for their determination and spirit in the face of a lot of criticism. It is not easy at their young age"

In an extraordinary step for a representative of the People's Republic, Madam Fu has written a public letter talking of her love for the programme, even giving her thoughts on each contestant.

"Jamie's sincere and energetic voice and dance really get the crowd going"

Madam Fu praised controversial twins John and Edward for their "determination and spirit". She also revealed that her own daughter had asked her if she could fly to Britain to join the dozens of teenagers outside the property in Golders Green.

Fan mail: ambassador Madam Fu Ying says it has been fun to be caught up in X Factor fever despite reports of a diplomatic row over graffiti at the embassy

Despite report that Chinese officials were unhappy over the constant noise and graffiti, the ambassador today told how she became excited at learning the contestants were being housed "in the neighbourhood".

X Factor Blog

Madam Fu writes: "It was fun finding myself caught up in X Factor fever and reading about the diplomatic row' involving my Embassy. My daughter emailed me wondering if she could fly in and join the screaming fans!

"I have to admit that I also enjoy watching the X Factor when there is time and have my favourite contestants. I think it would be unfair to mention who my favourites are, but I think all the acts have some great qualities."

Madam Fu goes on to say how she believes Stacey has "been more and more brave" while Jamie's "sincere and energetic" voice "gets the crowd going". She reveals she thinks his big afro hairstyle makes him "unique". She thinks Danyl and Olly are "great showmen" but Lloyd and Joe have only got "potential".

The ambassador also tells how she believes Welsh singer Lucy has a "lovely voice like the country she is from".

Madam Fu angrily denounced "violent" British demonstrators who attacked the Olympic torch relay in the run-up to the Beijing Games last year and hit out at the western media for "demonising" China. But in her musings on the X Factor she is far more conciliatory, even finding time to acknowledge the tough task Simon Cowell and his fellow judges have.

Madam Fu writes: "They are all so talented and it is going to be a very close competition and will be difficult for the judges, who are of impressively high quality.

The ambassador on the X Factor contestants

* Stacey has been more and more brave and being well-liked must have been great encouragement

* Jamie's sincere and energetic voice and dance really get the crowd going

* Lucie has a lovely voice like the country she is from [Wales]

* I am impressed by John and Edward for their determination and spirit in the face of a lot of criticism. It is not easy at their young age