Simon Cowell has defended his decision to form two new groups, from solo X Factor entrants at the show’s bootcamp.

In the era of teen sensation Justin Bieber, Cowell recognised the appeal of a cute teenage idol and was seen on last week’s show, asking some of the best young male singers to form a boyband.

He asked former soloists Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zain Malik and Niall Horan to form 1 Direction and faced with a lack of talented girl groups, Simon also suggested that Rebecca Creighton, Esther Campbell, Geneva Lane and Sophia Wardman advance to judges houses as vocal quartet, Belle Amie.

Nicole Scherzinger told the singers: “We thought of each of you as individuals and we thought you were too talented to let go of. We thought it would be a great idea to have two separate groups.”

Simon added: “We’ve decided to put you both through to Judges’ Houses. This is a lifeline. You’ve got to work, 10, 12, 14 hours a day, every single day and take this opportunity. You got a real shot here guys.”

After viewers and even some competitors on the show, complained that Simon’s decision was unfair, Cowell told The Daily Star:

“To be honest, the groups who turned up weren’t good enough. And anyway, The Wanted didn’t suddenly walk into each other in a High Street.

“The same for the Spice Girls, Westlife, Jackson Five – someone’s got to be a catalyst. I thought it was fairer to put these singers in a group rather than let them go because they weren’t quite there.”