The X Factor has found itself in trouble again after many viewers of the show claimed that they felt misled into thinking that One Direction were performing live on Saturday night. In actual fact, the band had recorded the performance last month and it had been cleverly edited to make it look as though they were there live.

Presenter Dermot O’Leary was seen giving the thumbs up at the end of the performance to give the impression that the band were there but in actual fact, he was gesturing to an empty stage.

According to The Mirror, the judges even wore the same outfits as they had in the pre-recorded segment so as not to shatter the illusion.

The problem arises from the fact that although Dermot didn’t actually state that the band were performing live, he didn’t say that it was recorded either. He said to viewers: “We have been celebrating the best of British tonight and they don't come any bigger or any more British than our next special guest.

"They have conquered the world and it all began for them here. We're the proudest parents on the planet as we welcome back with their new single – One Direction."

The issue of the judge’s outfits, among other things, seems to suggest that producers of the show were doing everything in their power to make audiences think that One Direction were there live. The fact that members of the band were snapped by the paps in LA at the same time that they were supposedly performing in the UK also let the cat out of the bag somewhat.

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