French 'Jedward' show they have the X Factor

X Factor judges are confronted by the Parisian equivalent of Jedward on tonight’s show – twins who tackle Lady Gaga.

French brothers Samir and Mehdi jetted in to try to win a place on the show with their “infectious” performance lapped up by judge Cheryl Cole.

Last year Irish twins John and Edward Grimes became a surprise hit with viewers with their wonky vocals, huge quiffs and over-the-top routines.

But show boss Simon Cowell – who fought against the Jedward phenomenon – is less than enamoured with the idea of a repeat.

Parisian duo Twem explain their act is named after the Arabic term for twins.

“It means also lucky,” they tell judges. “We started singing when we were babies in the kitchen on the table with our mother. To sing in English is a big challenge for us but it’s also a very beautiful language.”

After performing GaGa hit 'Let’s Dance', Cole tells them: “Not the best vocals in the world but there’s something really likeable and infectious and cute about you.

“I actually really enjoyed it for all those reasons. You’re like the Parisian John and Edward.”

And Louis Walsh – who championed Jedward last year – said: “You’ve definitely got the likeability factor and you’re pretty good singers to sing a song like that.”

But Cowell blamed Walsh for unleashing further twins on the world, telling him: “This is the effect you’re now having on Europe and that is a terrifying thought.”

The show features auditions from Dublin and London, with Katy Perry sitting in for then-pregnant Dannii Minogue.

Hopefuls include Mary from Dublin who works on a checkout at a branch of Tesco, where she practises her songs.

“I have to be told to shut up by the staff,” she said.

And her performance of Shirley Bassey’s 'This is My Life' impresses the panel, as well as the audience who were on their feet.

Walsh told her: “You picked a big, big song and you hit every single note. Tesco could be in trouble.”

And even Cowell was impressed: “Seriously, seriously good. And actually more than that, I really like you.”

Bosses have already pledged “auto-tune” will not be used on any contestants’ voices following a controversy which engulfed the show this week after viewer complaints. The technique allows the sound to be tweaked to stop bum notes.

The show is also trying to bounce back from a further difficulty after last week’s contestant Shirlena Johnson was ejected from the show after failing to declare mental health issues.

In today’s edition, judges were less than impressed with contestant Annastasia who is having a second crack at the show.

Annastasia made it through to the judges’ houses stage two years ago but had to be sent home by Cole after failing an audition.

The hopeful told Cole she was right to axe her previously, adding: “I wasn’t myself. When you see me perform now you’ll see who I really am.”

But after tackling a version of Tina Turner’s 'Proud Mary', Cowell stops her in her tracks and halts her performance.

“This is like one of these terrible Tina Turner tribute acts. I’ve seen trannies do better versions,” he blasted.

“It’s OK, he’s entitled to his opinion,” she conceded.

A singing duo who ended their audition with a punch when they rowed after criticism from judges will also feature.

A show spokesman said producers broke up the “heated” dispute between Abbey Johnston and Lisa Parker during auditions at Birmingham’s LG Arena in June.

Abbey said she lashed out at her friend after Lisa falsely claimed she had the hots for judge Walsh.

“It’s sad but stuff happens,” she told the Daily Mirror.

But Lisa told the newspaper she blamed Cowell’s nasty comments for causing tempers to flare.

Lisa, 17, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, told the newspaper Cowell described her performance of Journey’s 'Don’t Stop Believin’' and Shayne Ward’s 'That’s My Goal' as the worst audition in history.

The student said she remembered being hit, adding: “I think Abbey only hit me once but then a security guard grabbed her and another one pushed me against the wall so I couldn’t get to her.

“If Simon hadn’t been so nasty, this probably wouldn’t have happened.”

An X Factor spokesman said: “Things got a bit heated. Producers quickly stepped in.”

Also appearing tonight are wannabe boy band Temple Fire who leave Cowell wondering if they were a spoof after hearing them sing Wham!’s 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go'.

Teenage waitress Sadbh, girl group Sugar Bullet, hairdresser Rebecca and boy band Reason are among the other acts to appear.

:: The X Factor is screened by ITV1 at 7.30pm.