Simon Cowell defends X Factor decision that led to saving Jedward

Fickle hand of fate: a red-eyed and clearly uspet Lucie Jones leaves the X Factor studios last night with Lloyd Daniels. Lucie lost out to Jedward while Lloyd miraculously avoided the cut

The Welsh singer ended up going home after finding herself in the bottom two with twins John and Edward.

X Factor Blog: Why didn't Simon get rid of the twins when he had the chance?

Jones was gracious in defeat.

"I'm gutted, but the boys deserve to be here, they work harder than anyone," she said.

Safe: John and Edward were in the bottom two but survived

Simon had the casting vote and could have sent Jedward home. But instead he backed them, forcing a tie which meant the decision went down to the public. Many claimed Simon knew Jedward's cult fan base would save them — an accusation he denied.

Last night he said: "I didn't expect Lucie would lose. You make your decisions in the moment and I don't have strong feelings either way. If I can pick someone who can win who is in that position, then I can do the right thing. But sometimes it just feels fairer to take it to the public vote.

"It's not my fault if people in the bottom don't get enough votes. That's the way it is. It's not life or death. We have to put it into perspective. I apologise. I realised when I made the decision that it was going to cause controversy."

Hundreds of furious viewers bombarded the X Factor website last night, accusing Simon of being a coward.

In a dig at the Grimes' debatable vocal abilities, Jones' mentor Dannii Minogue said: "I just wish all the good singers good luck in the singing competition. It shouldn't have happened."

John and Edward are now third favourites to win the X Factor.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes is now offering odds of 3/1 that the twins will win the X Factor, and 4/1 that they will sign a deal with Cowell's label Syco.

The pair began with odds of 150/1 but they are now third favourite to win the series, behind Olly Murs at 6/4 and Joe McElderry at 5/2.

David Williams, from Ladbrokes, said: "Simon's decision to save the twins must go down as one of the biggest shocks in recent telly betting history.

"He's thrown them an unlikely lifeline and given us bookies yet another week of sleepless nights. Our worst nightmares could yet come true if 'Jedward' win the show."

Jedward get a Rotten critique
Is there anyone out there who hasn't had a pop at John and Edward?

Punk legend Johnny Rotten is the latest, blasting: "They're just lazily untalented. It's not fair, it's not right and a perfectly good singer gets voted off while that dopiness gets promoted. How is that singing?" Woah!