Sex Pistols star John Lydon has become the latest musician to speak out in favour of X Factor contestants John and Edward.

The 18-year-old twins, who were voted off the show last weekend, have already won the support of Robbie Williams and Sir Paul McCartney.

Lydon told Absolute Radio the pair – dubbed Jedward – were useful because they allowed better acts to shine.

"They are just ridiculous. But you must have as many awful acts out there as possible because that's the only way you can shine like a diamond in the mudpack,” he said.

“So I'm all for the competition, me."

The Sex Pistols frontman also spoke about Katie Price, who quit reality show I'm A Celebrity last weekend.

Lydon, who appeared alongside Price and her ex-husband Peter Andre on the show in 2004, said he didn't feel sorry for the former glamour star.

“Now the truth comes out. Oh, you poor dear, we all hate you," he said.

“Come on, fair play to her, she’s done really well in her life, having done nothing. I mean, she’s a coat-hanger, period, the end.”

Lydon added: "Wasn’t it lovely to see romance blossom… well, it was more like watching mushrooms grow on a rotten log."

The punk singer also defended his decision to appear in an advertising campaign for a brand of butter during the interview.

(by Jason Gregory)