'X Factor' Chris Maloney 'getting double the votes of others'

Christopher Maloney has reportedly topped the X Factor phone votes for several weeks.

The 'wild card' singer is said to be "way ahead" in the popular vote, getting "double" the amount of his rivals, according to The Sun.

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Simon Cowell is allegedly concerned about Maloney's potential win, and has asked staff to try and influence viewers to stop voting for him.

"Chris is getting double the votes of anyone else," a show insider said. "It's a shame because he's so sweet. They're determined to get him kicked off the show. It's crazy.

"The show is in a spin and Cowell is really panicking. They will be trying anything now to get people to not like this guy."

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Maloney was previously reported to have topped the phone votes in the first couple of weeks, but weekly votes will not be officially released until the programme comes to an end.

The former call centre operator is the last remaining act in Gary Barlow's 'Overs' category.

Eliminated contestant Kye Sones recently said that Maloney was not his "cup of tea".

SOURCE