Louis Walsh has slammed the leaked list of X Factor finalists, saying it contains the wrong names.

The list appeared online this week, claiming to contain the talent show's final 12 acts. The finalists are due to be announced officially on the programme this weekend, after the judges' houses stages.

Simon Cowell was reportedly considering legal action over the leak, as details of finalists are a closely guarded secret.

But speaking in an interview with former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh played down the scandal.

"That list is wrong", Walsh said. "I know the final line-up, and that's not right."