BOYBAND Yes Lad said they are "devastated" to have been denied the chance to compete in The X Factor's live shows.

Group member Sonny Hardman, of Car Bank Street, Atherton, said mentor Louis Walsh broke his heart by overlooking the five-piece band in favour of flamboyant duo Ottavio and Bradley, boyband 5am and twins The Brooks at the judges' houses.

The group also includes Cian Gleeson, of Horwich and Luke Gregory, from Bolton.

But 19-year-old Sonny insists that the crushing blow will spur Yes Lad on to bigger and better things, with plans afoot to write their own songs and perform at numerous gigs.

Sonny said: “We were devastated when we were told we had not get through, but this is not the end of Yes Lad.

“We are now concentrating on moving forward with our amazing fans and gigging as much as we can and writing our own songs.

“Watch this space for what we do next.”

The ITV show has been widely criticised on social media for selecting colourful characters Ottavio and Bradley and female rapper Honey G ahead of acts with superior vocal talents.

Yes Lad sung Michael Jackson’s Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough at Louis' judges' house in Ibiza after progressing as a wildcard act.

Louis had sent them home from the six chair challenge stage of the competition before fellow judge Sharon Osbourne gave the boys an 11th hour reprieve.

Sonny, who is disappointed that the boyband was branded ‘corny’ by Louis' guest judge Alesha Dixon, said: “We are very proud of our performance in Ibiza.

"We had less time to practise than the others as a few weeks passed before the end of the six chair challenge and us being told we had been chosen as the groups' wildcard act."

“Louis paused for ages before he told us we weren't going through.

"It was heartbreaking and our families are upset for us.

“But all the other contestants are great and we had a fantastic experience being on The X Factor

“We had the chance to meet amazing guest judges in Nicole Scherzinger and Fleur East and went to Ibiza, so we are very lucky."

Louis broke the news to the group, which also includes Joel Healy and Lewis Maxwell, on Saturday night show.

He said: “I loved your performance, I love the personality, but I cannot take you through.

"It was very close.”

Yes Lad are managed by Nigel Martin-Smith, who launched Take That.