Researchers at Cambridge University used data from 150 rounds of The X Factor and Pop Idol to see whether their running orders had any effect on weekly results.

Dr Lionel Page, who was one of the academics behind the investigation, said that no acts have been eliminated after singing last on the current series.

He explained: "In week one, Kandy Rain went out and they were second on, in week three Miss Frank left after being third on. John and Edward Grimes went when they were third on and Lloyd Daniels was voted out after being the second person to perform.

"If the show is about singing, it shouldn't matter if they were performing first or last. But it does."

Good to see Cambridge living up to their reputation for cutting edge important research here...