Marcus Collins has admitted that he understands why his cover version of The White Stripes’ 'Seven Nation Army’ has received such a mixed reaction.

The 2011 X-Factor runner-up, who releases his self-titled debut album tomorrow, has been heavily criticised for his soul-pop reworking of the 2003 rock classic by both fans of Jack and Meg White, and celebrities including Cher Lloyd.

But the 23-year-old Liverpudlian told the Daily Record that he appreciates it won’t be for everyone:

“I’ve researched it and listened to a lot more of the White Stripes’ music, so I can understand why people are upset.”

But Collins, who chose to cover the track after a YouTube listening session with mentor Gary Barlow, said that he remains unfazed by the criticism:

“It’s a completely different genre. It came from their album, Elephant, which was released nine years ago, so I didn’t think it would be too controversial to bring it out as a cover.

“There were comments. People have been Marmite about it, but that’s fine.”