Taken on its own, that really wouldn't have cost him many votes. The scousers really do not take it as seriously as, say Glasgow Celtic and Rangers. There are no religious or political dimensions to their allegiances, just football.

Edit: I didn't actually see much of the show but it should be said that Chris is from Kirkdale, which is actually near Everton but is not Everton. They are both districts within the city of Liverpool. My guess is that one of the production bods, whilst driving near to his house has spotted an 'Everton, City of Liverpool' sign just a couple of hundred yards away and noted it in his little black book.

And as has already been pointed out: he did well to get so far. None of us on here expected it and I'm sure Chris didn't either.

They even got the voice over guy in on it! He could barely muster up the energy to say Christopher maloney!

Yes, football isn't like life and death. It's much more serious than that... I think I've heard that said somewhere. Anyone who thinks that scousers don't vote along Liverpool/Everton lines when the information is given to them, I would suggest, is denying the truth. If the alleigance is not revealed then support would be drawn from all quarters. It is simple folly to claim that the information would have done anything to increase his support. It could only possibly either have no effect or a detrimental effect on his support.

Sorry, but I think you're wrong. It would be a tiny minority of bitter muppets (yes, of course they exist but they are a tiny minority - the kind who wont have certain colours around their homes - sad cranks basically) who would allow such matters to affect their voting. It should be noted that Everton is actually in Liverpool. It's not like a Newcastle/Sunderland scenario. They are not separate places.

Great post - sums it up perfectly for me.

I believe the votes have been tampered with, not a chance Jahmene got more votes than Christopher.

The public gets what the public wants

And it is not orange

I agree. Let's have an independent inquiry or enquiry.

Once I can work out what the difference is.

Oh what a load of rubbish Chris is gone now get over it.

Shame. I was just beginning to warm to him too. I'd probably have voted for him tonight if he hadn't failed to make the final.

Another conspiracy theory! Utter Tosh.

The great Orange one has gone. Thank god. I wonder when his cruise ship sails? Lets just hope all the Grandma's that voted for him sail off with him!

He is under contract not to discuss anything negative about X Factor. By the time the contract is over no one will be interested in listening.

thank goodness he has gone

I highly doubt many people from Sunderland voted for Joe McElderry.

Of course it has an effect, not much of one though I don't think.

I didn't even know Everton is anything to do with Liverpool and I'm a bloke. What about all the women who watch XFactor?

I am surprised that any man would admit that. You sir, are barred from the club.

Clever would have been to jettison him as a human cannonball from the stadium.

The other two had sob story VT's, he didn't. The mic incident must have picked up a few extra votes for Jahmene.

He had lukewarm/bland critique from the judges. And during the first performance the camera panned to the judges faces and from the look of it none were enjoying it.

The duet was a little lacklustre and he didn't have any moments during it. His timing was terrible when he was singing together with Gary.

Plus his votes were decreasing from previous weeks and it was his time to go.

This is one of the reasons that the X-Factor is struggling. The constant dragging up of sob stories. I don't care about James' living conditions prior to X-Factor or how tough Jahmene's childhood was. We're supposed to be judging their singing and potential to be successful pop stars!

I actually thought the sneaky part was that they allowed his microphone to be switched on all the way through his performance and for that matter Jahmene too , that was so manipulative .

I totally agree. I am thankful he has gone. Full of histrionics, and only an average singer at that.

Christopher Maloney full of baloney.

FFS, if it's about the nancy boy's game of football, then you can keep your club.