X Factor announces auto-tune ban

Image caption, Fans said Gamu Nhengu's performance sounded like it had been tampered with

X Factor contestants will no longer have their performances tweaked using sound filters, the ITV series has announced.

Some singers on Saturday's show were seemingly enhanced by the technology, leading to viewer complaints.

"There will be no autotune in the audition shows or for competitive performances on live shows," a spokeswoman said.

The technique is often used in recording studios to correct pitch.

Fans complained after Gamu Nhengu took to the stage to sing her own version of Walking On Sunshine, which seemed to have been tampered with.

Earlier this week, programme bosses admitted sound filters were used, but insisted only for the purposes of removing additional noise and not to give people a competitive advantage.

"We do not use, and never have used, audio technology that would unfairly reflect any singer's original performance on The X Factor," a spokeswoman said.

"In line with standard television practice, sound processing filters are used to remove background noise on our pre-recorded shows."