A pop duo from Southampton have sparked controversy after making it through to the live X Factor TV shows.

Millions watched last night as Ottavio and Bradley were picked by judge Louis Walsh as one of his final three for the show.

They were one of a number of groups to travel to Ibiza to audition in front of Louis with guest judges Alesha Dixon and Fleur East.

But the decision to send them through sparked controversy with a number of people on twitter furious with Louis’s choice.

Many on social media thought the judge should have put through girl band Four of Diamonds instead of the Southampton pair.

But not all disagreed.

One fan said: 'Yes sooooo happy louis Walsh saw sense and brought back @BradleyHuntUK and ootavio @OttavioBradley, so pleased for you guys your so funny' (sic).

As another simple said: 'So happy for Bradley and Ottavio'.

Ottavio and Bradley made a splash during last night's tense programme, with Ottavio pushing his bandmate into the pool following their performance of Christina Aguilera's Candyman, which left Walsh in hysterics.

The pair, who dressed as Roman warriors to hear Walsh's decision, were described as a ''very big risk'' by their mentor as he told them they had qualified.

Walsh added: ''I may regret this decision, I probably will,'' before the pair ran towards presenter Dermot O'Leary screaming and fell to the floor.

The two are Bradley Hunt, 22, and Ottavio Columbro, 25, who have both been Southampton Solent University fashion and PR students.

The pair have also been through X factor audition’s held at WestQuay and Ottavio has even appeared on the show before.

He was part of a trio, which included current Xtra Facotr host Rylan Clark-Neal in 2012.

They are joined in the final groups by three-piece 5AM and brothers The Brook.

No boy band has ever won the show in its 12-year history, with Little Mix being the only group to have taken the X Factor crown.

They will also been joined by contestants Gifty Louise, Samantha Lavery and Emily Middlemas, who were sent through by Simon Cowell.

Tonight it is the turn of Sharon Osboorne and Nicole Scherzinger to chose their final three