Olly Murs sorry for X Factor elimination blunder

Olly Murs has apologised for making a massive blunder on The X Factor. Photo / Getty

Olly Murs has messed up on The X Factor UK by telling a contestant she was going home before the result had been officially announced.

Murs made the statement on the British talent show when co-host Caroline Flack asked the judges to choose which contestant they would like to send home - Monica Michael or Anton Stephans.

Before Flack was handed the envelope containing a final result Murs casually told Michael she was eliminated.

"No, Olly, she's not," Flack said.

"Sorry. I apologise for that. Sorry Monica. I do apologise," Murs backtracked.

It appeared he thought three of the four judges had opted to send Michael home, meaning she would have been automatically out of the competition.

It was later clarified that two judges wanted to send Michael home, while the other two chose to send Stephans home, meaning it was a deadlock and would go back to a public vote.

Flack then announced: "The act who received the fewest votes from the public and who will be leaving the competition tonight is ... it's Monica Michael."

When the show was over, Murs sent out a tweet acknowledging his blunder.

I apologise to everyone tonight I made a massive f%#k up at the end. It was so tense!! I'm still learning & hope that never happens again!

— Olly Murs (@ollymurs) November 15, 2015

He also joked about the "massive boo-boo" and alluded to the fact it may get him fired.

"I think I'm not going to be back next week," he said to his fellow judges.

The incident prompted a reaction from fans, many of whom came to his defence following backlash including allegations the result was rigged.

OK we get it, Olly Murs made a mistake on X Factor, give the man a break

— hannahsjr (@hannahrankine) November 16, 2015

OMG why is everyone hating Olly Murs for a mistake? It's funny.. Chill man #bants

— Phoebe Mae Russell❤ (@phoeberussell_) November 16, 2015

-AAP