“Sort the sound out!”: X Factor viewers angry after "Dalek" audio problem plagues show

X Factor viewers have been left covering their ears tonight ­after a technical fault severely scrambled the show’s audio.

Although the first hour of the show aired without technical issues, the ITV contest returned from an advert break with a robotic-like audio quality.

• Who’s out of The X Factor 2018? The full list of eliminated contestants
• Nile Rodgers to replace Robbie Williams on The X Factor 2018 live shows
• X Factor past winners: where are they now?

With the live show being pre-recorded (for the first time in the show’s 15-year history), host Dermot O’Leary couldn’t acknowledge the poor sound quality to viewers. Instead, ITV could only post small message on screen: “We are sorry for the temporary interference in sound”.

And although many viewers at home were left angry with the error…

Others soon laughed as they noticed the fault made everyone on screen sound like a Dalek…

Fortunately, the sound issues were sorted when the show next returned from an advert break some 10 minutes later...

But some couldn’t help incredibly sorry for singers Danny Tetley and Anthony Russell, whose performances were ruined by the problem. And since the show wasn’t live, the pair were unable to perform again on the night.

Just how will the error affect the vote? Will more twists (and maybe Daleks) be in store tomorrow? Watch this space for any news.