Jamie “Afro” Archer has backed Olly Murs to win X Factor, and blamed poor song choice and his rock style for being booted-off the hit talent show.

More than 14m watched as the 34-year-old rocker from Putney was voted off in Sunday’s TV showdown, and speaking after the show Jamie said he was disappointed but looking to the future.

“I’m said it’s over and I wasn’t able to get it right on the show,” Jamie said. “But I had a feeling and sort of knew it was coming on the day. when it came down to the final two I knew it was bad news.

Jamie said bad song choice and his rock style caused the exit.

“I think it came down to a bit of both.

“People who work on the show know what they are doing. They said do something more mainstream and easily digestible.

“It is a pop competition, so, with my style of music I was always going to be at a disadvantage. I kind of got the feeling I wasn’t right for the show . . . I think when I was being myself, that’s when it worked best.

“I would have chosen different songs, apart from Hurt and Crying. I would have chosen to sing Mr Brightside [A Killers song] in the first week. What a way to start off my X Factor and get people to go ‘that’s a surprise’.”

The former pub singer backed his pay Olly Murs to win the show - and said Danyl Johnson and Stacey Solomon would probably be in the final.

“I’m a close friend of Olly’s so I’m going for him,” he said, “But watch out for Jedward [rival act Jonathan and Edward Grimes].“ The rock singer also spoke about his Putney roots and getting back to his family.

He said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to Putney and seeing my friends and family. I only saw them once a week at the end of the show. They are in the bar area so you don’t get to see your family that much.”

Jamie played around south London for years without much success before wowing X Factor judges at his audition.

He said: “I used to play Sunday afternoons down at the Slug and Lettuce in Putney. There used to be a few in the corner drinking wine and then one day the manager said why don’t you come up and sing.

“That is where I got the crowd going and all of that, all at the Slug, that’s where I learnt my trade. It got bigger, there were about five acts that sang, and we had a real laugh doing it.”

Jamie has lived in Putney since the mid 80s with his mum and brother.

He said he was a “shy kid” when he went to South Thames College, and would record an album after completing the nationwide X Factor tour.

He had a word for his home town and supporters.

“I love Putney and have seen it change. I love the shops in the high Street, Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and the riverside, Putney has it all.

“I want to say a big thank you for all the support and all the love. I know people have been playing the show in the High Street and wearing Afro wigs.

“Thank you for the support, I’m Putney through and through and looking forward to coming home.”

Jamie also confirmed he only uses shampoo and conditioner on his infamous Afro hair. He said: “I just wash it with shampoo and conditioner and use an Afro comb to buff it up.”

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