Jedward 'racked with guilt' over Lucie's departure

Jedward's mentor Louis Walsh admitted he doesn't believe they will be crowned the winners

Twins John and Edward Grimes have been racked with guilt after knocking Lucie Jones out of The X Factor, she revealed today.

Welsh singer Jones, 18, joined the twins, nicknamed "Jedward", in the bottom two in front of the biggest audience the ITV talent show has ever received.

She said the 18-year-old Irish boys, who have been criticised for their lack of singing talent, felt guilty about staying in the competition but, though she admitted to feeling "gutted" and "upset" about leaving, Jones insisted the twins deserved their place on the show.

Jones also vowed to continue with a singing career, saying: "There must be some people that like me".

The hopeful added that her mentor Dannii Minogue had been "the best" and that she did not blame her song choice - This Is Me from Disney film Camp Rock - on her exit from the competition.

Jones performed the song on the film-themed episode of the competition on Saturday night, which attracted a peak audience of 13.6 million.

She learnt she and the twins had received the fewest votes on last night's live show, which featured performances by former winner Leona Lewis and US chart-toppers Black Eyed Peas.

The show, which reeled in a record peak audience of 16.6 million viewers, saw the two acts fight it out in a sing-off, in which Jones sang Whitney Houston's One Moment In Time, and John and Edward sang Robbie Williams' Rock DJ.

Simon Cowell, who has criticised John and Edward for their lack of talent in the past, voted to keep them on the show as did their mentor Louis Walsh, while Minogue and Cheryl Cole voted for Jones.

The decision went to "deadlock", meaning the matter was decided by the public vote.

Jones said she was not bitter towards John and Edward, however, as it was not their decision to knock her out of the competition.

She said: "John and Edward, bless them, they're the nicest kids... they said 'we feel guilty' and I said 'why, it's not your fault?' It's not their fault that they're still in the competition. They're still in the competition because people want them to be there. More people wanted to see them next week than wanted to see me, and that's fine and they should not feel guilty because they deserve to be there."

She added that she thought John and Edward were upset about seeing her go.

She said: "It's difficult to know what John and Edward are thinking, but they're so happy and upbeat about everything and to see them upset because of me, I really felt for them last night because they did feel bad and it's just a shame that external sources have made them feel as if they should feel like that."

She also defended Minogue who apparently slighted John and Edward at the end of last night's show when she said 'I just wish all the good singers good luck in the singing competition'.

Jones said: "I honestly don't think it was a jibe at John and Edward. I don't know the meaning behind it but she's not the type of person to have a go at another act when it's not their fault that they're there."

On her song choice she said: "It's a massive film. It's huge in the States; all kids have seen it. The fact people don't know a song shouldn't mean that people don't vote for you. I have complete faith in Dannii and she never picked a bad song for me."

She added that she was feeling better about the decision today.

She said: "I was gutted. You know someone has to go so you prepare yourself but it's a shock to the system, a change of environment and situation. Dermot said my name and it was finished just like that. It's just upsetting.

"But I'm all right. I've had a good sleep and I'm having a McDonald's so I'm all right.

"I'm looking at it from a new light and it's a new day and I just have to look at all the positives of the experience and it's just been the most amazing thing I've ever done so I'm just feeling good about it."

On her plans for the future she said: "I've given my best. People have enjoyed my performance because they've kept me in for a couple of weeks and that gives me great confidence to carry on and to make a good career for myself in the music industry because there must be some people that like me and I would love to carry on making music so they can enjoy it."