CONTROVERSIAL X FACTOR twins John and Edward Grimes landed the highest number of public votes at the weekend, The Sun can reveal.

The bombshell has sparked fears the Irish duo could give Simon Cowell his "worst nightmare" and become the shock WINNERS of this year's show.

The news emerged as police were called to control hundreds of hysterical fans who yesterday laid siege to the X Factor house, where the telly finalists are staying together.

Mobbed... twins at window

LEE THOMPSON

Show insiders were stunned that the 18-year-old twins, from Dublin, came out top despite their virtually tone-deaf performance on Saturday night.

Meanwhile cocky favourite Danyl Johnson narrowly escaped the boot after landing in the bottom two.

One insider said: "It is extraordinary. John and Edward were miles ahead of any other act.

"Whoever wins the X Factor, you can usually guarantee they can sing.

"If John and Edward win, it will no longer be a show about great singers - it could be disastrous. But you know what? It could happen."

Last night Jedward's mentor Louis Walsh claimed they were riding high due to their "likeability factor".

He said: "Kids love these guys - everywhere I go they come up to me and tell me they think they're great.

"They're young, they're fun and they have the likeability factor, which is what this show is all about.

"I know some don't like them, but they should back off and leave them alone. They put a smile on your face - what's wrong with that?"

The twins have attracted some high-profile fans including Westlife, Robbie Williams and Noel Gallagher.

Red-dy for victory ... John and Edward on X Factor

Groups have been set up on social networking site Facebook urging people to vote in support of the duo.

More than 100,000 have joined a Facebook campaign to get them OUT.

The twins do not receive votes from their home nation as ITV only accepts votes from Northern Ireland.

Agent Jonathan Shalit, who looks after acts including chart-toppers N-Dubz, said last night: "The twins can't really sing but they are likeable.

"If they win, it would be Simon Cowell's worst nightmare.

"Look at the success he's had with Leona Lewis in America. Can you seriously see him taking John and Edward across the pond and telling everyone they're the next big thing?"

A massive 14.8million tuned in to Sunday's results show, which saw Miss Frank eventually voted off.

The giant figure is the same as last week's record haul and 1.3million MORE than tuned in on Saturday.

Some viewers complained their votes for other acts were accidentally allocated to John and Edward when they called the voting lines.

But last night an ITV spokesman insisted there were no irregularities.

Earlier there were chaotic scenes outside the X Factor house as fans' excitement reached fever pitch on the first day of school half-term.

Police were called as screaming teenagers spilled on to the streets and tried to climb over the security fence outside the North London property.

Fans, some from as far away as Yorkshire, set up camp in the early hours in a vain bid to see their idols.

It's just wrong that somebody can leak the vote numbers like that. If it were any other week, then it would have been totally investigated. Obviously Simon wants everyone to know this so there will be backlash against John and Edward.

LOVE LOVE LOVED WESTLIFE. BEST PART OF X-FACTOR THIS WEEK. When they got to the first chorus and I saw Simon clapping, I shed a little tear. Love them so incredibly much. <333

Lucie was stellar. Incredible control and range. Plus her hunky boyfriend could plow me all night.

Police patrolling X Factor house

Young girls "flash" John & Edward

The police have been ordered to patrol the area surrounding The X Factor house, due to problems with the public.

It has been reported that teen girls have started to flash their breasts at contestants John & Edward whenever the twins come near the windows of the property.

A man who contacted the police on Sunday told The Sun: "I saw a girl who must have been only about 14 lifting up her top to flash at the twins. I had to look away.

"With all these young girls about it is attracting dirty old men to come and stare at them. These girls - some as young as 11 - are writing pornographic messages on the barriers… It is encouraging the sexualisation of young girls and it should be stopped."

Neighbours surrounding the £6 million property are now proposing to stage their own protest. An X Factor spokesperson said: "The X Factor has ongoing liaisons with the police to ensure that all security measures are in place. Safety is of paramount importance to us."

Cowshit: "Jedward win would be a disaster"

Louis Walsh "in trouble" if pair triumph

Simon Cowshit has been speaking about the prospect of unlikely favourites John and Edward winning The X Factor 2009.

At the announcement of his patronage of the Children's Hospices UK charity, the judge claimed it is impossible to predict the winner, but he knows exactly who he wants to go.

Simon said: "I'm just praying it's not John and Edward. To be fair, we put them in a competition where it's a public vote, and we have to live, unfortunately, with the public vote."

On Tuesday, The Sun reported that the Irish twins, nicknamed Jedward, received the highest amout of votes for Big Band week.

Cowshit continued: "If they win, it will be a complete and utter disaster. I'd probably sulk for about six months, and I'd probably get on a very fast plane out of the country.

"The fact is, it's a singing competition, and they can't sing. I don't dislike them as people. I just don't think they are the act we were looking for."

He added that if the duo were to win, then their mentor Louis Walsh would be "in trouble". What could this possibly mean?

John and Edward mania has been causing trouble outside the contestants house, and as a result, the road will be closed for the week amid safety fears.

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