[Arneldo]

A band that made it to the last 12 X Factor hopefuls have been axed from the show for breaking the rules.

Producers launched an investigation into Avenue earlier this month after it was revealed they had a deal with pop professional Ashley Tabor. It was believed they had agreed with Tabor not to mention the contract so they could launch a career with the show's added publicity.

At the time a spokesman for Tabor said he had been unaware of the condition and the deal with Avenue was cancelled. Now, however, producers have concluded rules have been broken and the band must go.

"It was a hard decision. The boys are talented but they broke the rules. They had to go," announced judge Louis Walsh. Simon Cowell added: "They misled us. It wouldn't have been fair to allow them to deprive another act of a slot in the finals."


DS