Fans hit out at Kelly for not voting in sing-off

The 30-year-old, who refused to send home one of her hopefuls in last night's Results show, has been criticised as unable to handle the judging role on the competition.

The Destiny's Child star was left with a choice to save Manchester native Misha B or Tyrone singer Janet Devlin, but buckled under pressure.

However, her indecision meant that Janet (17) was sent home as Louis Walsh and Tulisa had already voted to save Misha B (19).

Rowland has sparked fury with the flame-haired hopeful's thousands of Devlinators as well as members of the X Factor audience, who took to social networking sites to vent their outrage with the emotional Girls mentor.

One supporter of the redhead said that not choosing was an "easy way out" and that Kelly was a "disgrace", while another posted: "I have lost all respect for Kelly Rowland."

A fan in the ITV studio shouted at the Commander star, calling her move a "cop out".

In tears when host Dermot O'Leary asked her to make a decision and Janet would be automatically sent home if she abstained, Kelly said: "I can't, I have to pass, I'm sorry.

"I know how great these two girls are -- I've watched them grow and I've seen how hard they work. To be honest, I can't really make a decision, I love those girls."

Mayo-man Louis Walsh, who has praised Janet throughout the competition for her "Celtic soul", was the first to send the Irish teen packing.

N-Dubz star Tulisa (23), below left, followed suit and Boys mentor Gary Barlow revealed he would have chosen Janet to go home too.

Janet has thanked her supporters and has vowed to continue to pursue her dream of being a hit musician.

"I just can't wait to get out of the show and into the studio and start getting my music out there, and the tour obviously. It's exciting.

"I've got this far so to go out at this stage is all right -- I'd like to thank people who voted for me."

labutler@herald.ie