John and Edward Survive First X Factor Vote

John and Edward proved that they do have the support of a significant section of the Great British Public by surviving the first public vote of the X Factor finals.

They will now go through as one of the 11 acts to appear in next week's show.

John and Edward – X Factor Live Show 1

John and Edward, the Grimes twins, have made it through to the final twelve on the X Factor. Where do you start when talking about John and Edward?

Are they actually as bad and annoying as the whole country seems to think they are? Or can they win us all over?

They started their routine on list night's show being lowered to the stage on a pair of nooses (around their hands, not their heads!) and Edward looked decided nervous when he was 30 feet above the stage. Or was that John? I still can't tell...

But once they started singing Robbie Williams' "Rock DJ", they didn't actually sound that bad. I even saw a smile on Somon Cowell's face when he was watching them, so he must have been getting some sort of enjoyment out of it!

John & Edward's performance was certainly full of energy and they looked like they were enjoying themselves.

I was a bit surprised to hear a lot of booing in the audience in amongst the cheers when they ended their song. And I think it's also the first time I've ever heard the X Factor audience cheering every one of the judges made a negative comment (and there were certainly a few of those handed out).

But good luck to the lads I say. Yes they're annoying but they've also got a lot of bottle and they're out to enjoy themselves. I think a lot of people might vote to keep them in just for a laugh, because they are so annoying!

So although I predict John & Edward will probably be the first ones to leave the X Factor final 12, they might surprise us and keep coming back, week after week!

Can John and Edward Win the X Factor?

Can John and Edward win the X Factor? Well, they have certainly split people's opinions so far.

Like Marmite, it seems that you either love them or hate them.

John and Edward Grimes are 17 year-old identical twins from Lucan, Dublin. Currently still students, they live at home with their mum, dad and big brother Kevin.

At their X Factor audition, they immediately put Simon Cowell's back up with their cocky attitude and fake American accents. Cowell stopped them half way through their rendition of "As Long As You Love Me", the Back Street Boys' hit, with a resounding "No!", saying they were extremely irritating. But they managed to win the other three judges over, particularly Louis, who will now be mentoring the lads through the final stage of the competition.

The twins are almost impossible to tell apart. However, John generally stands on the left (as you face them) and Edward on the right, although they have been known to swap themselves around sometimes just to confuse people. John is the older of the two, by about ten minutes.

At this stage the bookies are placing them as outsiders at 40-1. But if you ask any of their home fans in Dublin, "Can John and Edward Win the X Factor", the answer will be a resounding "Yes!". Simon Cowell would probably disagree though!