Campaign to subvert 'X Factor' with Wagner win

'X Factor' detractors are hoping to scupper the hit ITV show with a campaign to get eccentric singer Wagner Carrilho to win.

Last year, 'X Factor' winner Joe McElderry lost the battle for the Christmas Number One when US rockers Rage Against The Machine got to the top following a Facebook campaign.

This year, Brazilian singer and former PE teacher Wagner, 54, is being given a boost thanks to an X Factor protest internet campaign.

Thanxx wrote on the site: “If you just fancy a really crazy Xmas number 1 this year... vote Wagner!!! If you despise all what the X Factor stands for vote Wagner!

“If you hate Simon Cowell and want to piss him off vote Wagner! If you want to help run the X factor into the ground and cause mayhem vote Wagner!

Simon Matthews wrote on the social networking site: “I actually think Wagner would make for a really fun Xmas number 1, gotta be better than the alternative romantic slushy s***e that one of the other contestants would bring out!”.

Merton32 wrote: “Let’s get Wagner to win! – join this Facebook group!!!!!.. would be v. funny!!!! – Jedward eat your hearts out!!!! X Factor Protest - Wagner to win.”

Wagner performed a medley of 'Spice Up Your Life' and 'Living La Vida Loca' on Saturday’s show but got through to the next week despite being made a favourite by bookies to go.

His performance on the guilty pleasures themed week left Cheryl Cole cold, with the judge saying: “There was a lot of guilty going on up there. I don’t know if there was a lot of pleasure for me.”

Simon Cowell was also not impressed, telling Louis Walsh: “Do you understand how crazy this is? You criticise my song choice and then you give Wagner the Spice Girls.”

Wagner was taped saying the show “stinks like a set-up” and was reported in The Sun as telling a friend: “I don’t think I will win because they won’t let a Brazilian win.”