Louis Walsh has said The X Factor won't "be the same" without John And Edward.
The judge defended his act against criticism that they "can't sing or dance" and insisted: "They're getting better".
He told Sky News: "We threw them in at the deep end but they're actually getting better. They can dance a bit and they can sing a bit."
He added: "They've got something, I don't know what it is. They're not great singers or dancers, but they've got something."
Louis also dismissed rumours the pair were preparing to jet off to Australia to join the celebrity jungle now they've left the singing competition.
"I don't think they want to be in the celebrity business," he said. "They just love pop music.
"We are just going to miss them so much... the show's not going to be the same without them, the fun is out of the X Factor."
