Thousands sign petition for Honey G to be booted off the X Factor

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for Honey G to be booted out of the X Factor.

Enraged fans are furious that the rapper was put through to the live shows at the expense of singer Samantha Atkinson - and have urged for the decision to be reversed.

Sharon Osbourne said that she would take a "risk" on Honey by taking her through to the final 12 contestants at the Judges Houses stage after she was blown away by the rapper's rendition of Coolio's Gangster's Paradise.

It meant that there was no space for fellow 'Overs' contestant Atkinson, who told the Sun that she was "absolutely distraught" at the decision.

Now more than 8,000 enraged fans - many of whom see Honey G as a novelty act - are protesting through a petition set up by Atkinson's cousin Yasemin Kara.

It calls for 32-year-old landlady Atkinson to be reinstated to the show in her place, adding that Osborne had made a "huge mistake".

Atkinson herself appeared to distance herself from the petition, telling BBC Radio Humberside that Honey G "deserves her right to be in the competition as much as anyone else".

She added that the pair had become "friends"during their time on the show together.

Honey G, who real name is Anna Georgette Gilford, was put through by Osborne together with fellow over-25s contestants Saara Aalto, 29, from Finland, and Relley C, aged 26, in something of a surprise decision.

The 35-year-old has sparked speculation that she is not a serious act thanks to her blingy outfits, awkward dance moves and blustering attempts at street slang.

During her earliest audition, judge Simon Cowell told her: "You shouldn't be doing that!" adding: "Please, please just end this."