One Direction's Niall Horan has labelled the X Factor's Sunday results show a "complete joke".

Show favourites Ella Henderson and James Arthur found themselves in the bottom two of the hit TV talent competition - before talented songstress Henderson was given the boot following Saturday's 'Guilty Pleasures' theme.

Horan took to Twitter to vent his frustration at such talented singers trailing behind.

He said: "Oh my god! Cannot believe what just happened on xfactor! What the hell.

That's a complete joke! Cannot believe that! They both 100% percent did not deserve to be in that situation ! People u gotta vote for ur fav (sic)."

Host Dermot O'Leary said of the sing off: "One of the shocking results we've ever had".

The decision turned to Deadlock after each act scored two judges' votes apiece. While Tulisa sent Arthur home in support of her own act, Nicole Scherzinger voted Henderson to leave to competition after sticking by Arthur. Louis Walsh decided to send Arthur home while Gary Barlow showed his support for Arthur and sent Henderson home.

Battling it out in next week's show is Arthur, Jahmene, Rylan Clark, Union J and Christopher Maloney.