X Factor viewers in uproar after Dermot O’Leary introduces shock new twist to public vote

X FACTOR has come under fire from angry viewers after introducing a shock twist to now open the public vote from the start of the show.

Rather than opening the lines at the end of each episode once all the acts have performed like usual, viewers can now vote for their favourite contestants before they’ve even taken to the stage.

Kitty Brucknell, who came eighth on the show in 2011, raged about the new rule on Twitter.

She wrote: “Putting votes at the beginning just reiterates that voting is nothing about talent. #XFactor ugh why can't we just vote for the best!”

Following her post up, she added: “Apparently originally it was supposed to be like that. But you would end up with the most boring singers.”

Many other viewers were also left baffled by this sudden change.

Loyal fan Imogen tweeted: “How can voting be open at the beginning of the show, we haven't even seen anyone perform yet?! #XFactor.”

Ollie Lake wrote: “#XFactor How can the voting be open? The contestants have not performed yet!”

Viewer Carl Johnson added: "So lines open throughout... hmmm sooo unfair advantage to those singing first then... doesn't make sense to me!"

Dermot O’Leary first introduced viewers to the change at the start of the episode.

Kicking things off, he said: “Now we’re well into the competition we can start voting right about now because the vote is now open.

“It’ll remain open for the next 24 hours until tomorrow’s results show.”

Despite confusing viewers, the tactic is nothing new to the X Factor.

ITV bosses have previously adopted the same rule midway through previous series of the hit show.