Apology After X Factor 'Vote Fix' Blunder

TV bosses have been forced to apologise to X Factor fans after stories apparently announcing the results of a phone vote appeared online before the poll had closed.

Viewers saw Amelia Lily return to the show on Saturday night after she won the vote to replace axed Frankie Cocozza.

But a story about her win was published on the website of STV - which broadcasts ITV shows in Scotland - an hour before the phone lines closed.

It prompted some fans to accuse producers of vote-fixing.

The channel blamed a "technical hitch" which meant pre-written pieces about all four contestants winning had gone live on the site.

STV said in a statement: "The STV web team prepared stories regarding each contestant in anticipation of the result and due to a technical hitch, all four stories went live on our website.

"We would stress that this was purely a technical hitch and for this we apologise."

Amelia and three other former contestants - Jonjo Kerr, 2 Shoes and James Michael - were all in with a chance of returning to the competition after Cocozza, 18, left amid allegations about drugs .

Jade Blackburn wrote on Twitter: "Apparently Amelia is already the winner of tonight's
vote but I wanted 2 Shoes back!"

Darren Ruback tweeted: "Not sure how the result has been leaked by STV when ITV are still asking you to call. Fix!"

Amelia, 17, was declared the winner with 48% of the calls, and went on to sing Queen's The Show Must Go On.

Earlier, millions of viewers tuned in expecting to see the sixth live studio round but found a highlights reel playing instead, which was also blamed on a technical failure.

The show finally came on air 15 minutes late with an apology from host Dermot O'Leary.