X Factor hit by 700 complaints

Around 700 complaints have flooded into Ofcom after viewers of X Factor claimed there were voting problems during the live final.

Fans of bookies' favourite Rhydian Roberts were unable to get through the phone lines on Saturday night, with many believing the result was fixed in favour of winner Leon Jackson.

The Welsh singer's father, Malcolm Roberts, told a newspaper: "Rhyd's not a bad loser but he feels the same as us about the result - and we think it's a fix. He believes it's possible he was stitched up. He's disappointed for himself and his fans."

The controversy is threatening to overshadow Leon's bid for Christmas number one, but the 18-year-old Scot said in a radio interview: "On a show like this, there is always a large volume of calls, so you never know what the truth is. I just hope I did my best for everybody and hope I can continue that."

An X Factor spokeswoman insisted the result was not rigged but said some viewers did experience difficulty getting through due to high call volume.

"As all numbers go through to the same lines and vote platform, it is impossible for there to be any bias in favour or against a particular contestant," the spokeswoman said. "Phone lines were monitored throughout the night and there were no issues on voting lines."

She added: "We do get a huge surge of calls and depending on phone operators some callers may have experienced an engaged tone or network busy message and therefore may have to call back, but these calls should not be charged."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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