Olly Murs tells X Factor gaffe critics to 'put it in perspective' after Paris attacks

Murs accidentally revealed which contestant was leaving before the official result was announced

Olly Murs has claimed that he miscounted the judges votes, but many took it as a sign that the show is fixed (ITV)

Olly Murs has hit back at critics following his awkward X Factor gaffe, claiming his mistake was “blown out of proportion”.

The TV presenter and former contestant accidentally revealed that Monica Michael had been voted off before the official result was announced, sparking an outcry on social media.

Some viewers quickly began claiming that the talent show is fixed, with others calling it the blunder publicity stunt and questioning whether Simon Cowell would sack Murs.

Murs tweeted an apology after the show, admitting that he “made a massive f**k-up” but said on the ITV Gala red carpet that discussion of the incident should now stop:

“I think you need to put it in perspective with everything that’s going on in the world. At the end of the day, I made a single mistake at a critical point in X Factor which was massively blown out of proportion.”

Murs added that Cowell did not get as angry as he thought he might about the cringeworthy moment. “I was expecting a telling off if I’m honest but I didn’t get one which was nice,” he said. “I saw everyone after, I saw Monica, I saw all the judges and said I was so sorry and let myself down.”

Murs will be performing new single “Kiss Me” on The X Factor results show this Sunday.