Hundreds of messages denouncing the decision to put the Dublin brothers through to the live show have been left on the reality TV programme’s website, and 100′s of  Facebook and Twitter pages — which have attracted thousands of members.

Many expressed their outrage that the 17-year-olds were put through instead of the group Project A and criticised mentor Louis Walsh, saying his decision was not based on talent.

Some accused the Westlife manager of picking the brothers because they were Irish.

Others implied the decision was made to rile fellow judge Simon Cowell, who had voiced his disgust at the teenagers when they were put through to Boot Camp.

Cowell said at the time: “You are two of the most annoying people we have had on in a long time.”

But Walsh, who mentored last year’s runners-up JLS, sees something special in the pair and went against the advice of Ronan Keating, who helped him choose his final three acts. One annoyed viewer ‘mikeyrobo’ wrote on the XFactor website: “Has ITV put the Irish twins through or is it Louis? Surely Louis cannot be that stupid to put them through unless it is the Irish factor!

“Not fair on the other hundred times better contestants who should be in the last 12!

“Clearly it’s either ITV doing it to get us all talking, which it has, or Louis to annoy Simon. Grrr!”

‘Danni1983’ wrote: “I’m sorry, but I think that it is a complete sham that Louis put those twins through.

“They are absolutely TERRIBLE!!!

“They have taken someone else’s dream away.”

Ruth McCartney, who is director of music at Methodist College in Belfast, said she she did not think the boys were the most talented in the competition, but could see why they were chosen for the live shows.

She said: “I think there’s a certain novelty factor because they are twins and that is very marketable.

“That’s probably one of the reasons why Louis chose them. In terms of talent, vocally, they are not the best.

“I think there’s a lot better in the competition, but they are very confident.

“I think they need a better name rather than John and Edward — and I think it’s a pity they are not five years older, when they would look a bit better.”

And while there has been a lot of bad reaction to the Grimes, there has also been plenty of support for them from family and fans in Ireland.

Yesterday the boys’ father John hit back at critics.

He said he was “very proud” of them.

“My lads are great. We are all really proud of them and behind them 100% of the way,” he said.

Bookies Paddy Power have the twins at 50/1 to win the talent contest. Welsh teenager Lucie Jones is the favourite at 11/4, followed by Danyl Johnson at 7/2 and Stacey Soloman at 9/2.

Ronan Keating let the cat out of the bag after having to endure pop irritants John and Edward

while judging The X Factor groups with Louis Walsh.

He told TV Biz: “There’s something about those guys – they’ve got the right energy and feel really pop.

“And one of them can sing – I don’t know which one but one of them can.”