Sunday night’s (November 7) X Factor caused more than just a stir after Cheryl Cole refused to vote either of her acts out.

Mentor to the girls, she was put in a tough position as two of her artists fell into the bottom two and had to face elimination, but she shocked the panel and audience alike when she declared: “I’m not sending any of them home, Dermot. I’m refusing point blank.”

Singers Katie Waissel and Treyc proved to be the least popular performers of the night, which put their positions on the show into jeopardy, and host Dermot O’Leary informed the other judges that elimination would have to be based on a majority vote.

Treyc received two out of the three votes, which inevitably saw her departure from the popular television show and the lack of participation from Cole has since triggered some 800 complaints to Ofcom.

Appearing at last night’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, the X Factor judge and Girls Aloud star, 27, took part in a charity event that involved having a cream pie pushed into her face by 12-year-old Cameron Small who suffers from a rare blood disorder.

Watch Cole's withdrawal from the weekly X Factor vote below: