Louis Walsh insists Popstars result not a fix

Popstars: The Rivals judge Louis Walsh has insisted Saturday night's result was not a fix.

Walsh admitted he was "totally shocked" that favourite Javine Hylton lost out on a place in the girl band.

The surprise result has led to claims that the phone poll was rigged, with dozens of viewers complaining they were unable to register their vote for the 20-year-old Londoner.

But Walsh, who will manage the group called Girls Aloud, said: "There was nothing rigged, definitely nothing rigged as far as I know.

"They've checked everything out and I don't think there's anything sinister at all. I don't think anything went wrong."

Attempting to explain the result, he said: "I think kids are watching so many of these shows now that they don't vote for the person they like most, they vote for the person that they think, 'Oh, I feel sorry for her. So I'm going to vote for Cheryl, I'm going to vote for Sarah, I'm going to vote for Kimberley."

Walsh said he would not take on Javine as a solo artist because she was too similar to Samantha Mumba, whose career he also manages.

But he said: "I talked to Javine yesterday, she's quite happy and she's going to have a big solo career. I know a lot of record companies are already interested in her."

Javine lost the final place to Sarah Harding, 21, from Greater Manchester, during Saturday night's show.

London radio station Capital FM said more than 50 listeners had called in claiming they had been unable to vote for Javine.