Simon Cowell has defended his controversial decision to save tone-deaf twins John and Edward on Sunday's X Factor results show.

The TV judge sparked an outcry when he refused to give JEdward their marching orders after they landed in the 'bottom two' alongside Welsh singer Lucie, despite persistently slating their cringeworthy performances.

The decision went to 'deadlock', and the twins were saved because they had polled the most number of public votes.

Following complaints to Ofcom and Facebook campaigns to boycott the X Factor, Simon acknowledges that he has gone from TV's 'Mr Nasty' to 'Public Enemy No. 1.'

"I'm going to get a lot of flak for my decision," he told Britain's Sun newspaper.

"I'll be public enemy No 1. People always like to disagree with me but I know this will be more controversial than usual.

"There will be people who are Lucie fans and think she should have been given a chance."

Despite being seen deep in conversation with X Factor executive producer Richard Holloway shortly before backing the twins, Simon insists he did not know how the public had voted.

He said: "I didn't think either could win so it seemed fair to let the public have their say.

"But I had no idea how the public vote had gone - I never get told what the figures are. I always make my decision based on what I've seen."

Simon will no doubt be loving the publicity generated by this latest X Factor scandal - he might even have a good chuckle at the advertising van currently parked outside the X Factor house with a very special message for 'Mr Coward.'