'Afro' rocker voted off X Factor

Cowell admitted he "may" have let Archer down

Rock singer Jamie Archer has been voted off TV talent show The X Factor, the first of Simon Cowell's over 25s group to leave the programme.

Archer, nicknamed Jamie Afro due to his distinctive hair, was joined by Lloyd Daniels, 16, in the sing-off.

But after the judges failed to decide who to save, it came down to the public vote which resulted in pub singer Archer coming off second best.

"It's not the end, it's the beginning," Archer, 33, said.

"I just want to make a record and get out there and play," he added.

It was the fourth week the public made the final decision on which act to send home after the judges reached a deadlock.

'Great guy'

Simon Cowell voted to send Welsh teenager Daniels home, but Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh both chose to eliminate Jamie.

Before casting her vote for Archer, Dannii Minogue said: "We are looking for a recording artist - for me it's not about deadlock, it's about who sang the best."

The twins were praised for keeping their cool during a stage invasion

Cowell, Archer's mentor, said he felt sorry for him and admitted he may have let him down with his song choice but described the musician as a "great guy" who had a "great future ahead".

Twins John and Edward survived the public vote for another week and were praised for keeping their cool after musician Calvin Harris ran on stage during their performance on Saturday clutching a pineapple to his head - apparently to mimic the singers' quiffs.

Harris was removed from the studio by security guards, according to an X Factor spokesman.

All 12 finalists returned to the stage on Sunday to sing Michael Jackson's You Are Not Alone, which has been released as a charity single to raise money for London's Great Ormond Street children's hospital.