Former Pop Idol winner Will Young has claimed the X Factor group song is not performed live on a Sunday night.

Will was defending Cheryl Cole’s performance on the show when he told MSN:

“I think there’s a very mixed reaction to different people whether they mime or sing live, some people get away with it – I’m not entirely convinced the contestants sing live on the Sunday shows in the group thing but people don’t comment on that.”

He added: “I think Cheryl can do no wrong in my eyes. So it’s just different people for different things.

“But Cheryl did a great performance. I don’t think it really matters. It’s showbiz.”