Simon Cowell will be given extra power alongside his fellow American Idol judges after a dramatic rule change is introduced on tonight’s results show.

The change will allow the judges to NULLIFY the public vote and SAVE a contestant that had been chosen to be eliminated by the public, putting pressure on the contestants for the following week where there will be a DOUBLE elimination. They will only be allowed to do this ONCE during the show, and the judges must UNANIMOUSLY decide to save them.

A massive 33 million votes were cast in last night’s first elimination show of the series, which saw Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez voted off, with the latter failing to win the public round despite the backing of Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony. The judges also passed up on the opportunity of saving Nunez.

Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson also performed special guest performances on the show.

Next week’s theme was also announced as ‘Grand Ole Opry Week’ which will see the contestants tackle country songs.