JAY James said he was fine about losing out to Colchester’s Stevi Ritchie on the X Factor because the “comedy act” was better for the show.

The Welsh ex-Navy man was voted out on Sunday when the judges were split over who should stay, and viewers’ votes kept Stevi in the competition.

Jay said he felt no bitterness towards Stevi, 34, a former pupil at Stanway School, in Colchester.

He said: "He's brilliant for the show and if I was at home, I would have been voting Stevi.”

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