The Prodigy have now joined a number of other musicians trying to stop X Factor winner Matt Cardle reaching the Christmas top spot.

The band have backed the campaign Cage Against The Machine, which has released a Christmas single '4'33' featuring The Kooks, Scroobius Pip and Crystal Fighters.

The Prodigy posted the following statement on their website: "We are supporting the Cage Against The Machine single and want to rally up the people who don’t want their airwaves polluted over Xmas by the Cowell machine so this is a beautiful f*ck u and will not only give ur ears a rest it is a good charity."

"Yeah you have an off button on your radio but that is the easy way out !. just imagine the dj having to say, 'and this years Xmas number one is'...whatever noise is happening around you for 4 minutes 33."

Meanwhile, Biffy Clyro fans have been left divided after this year’s X Factor winner released a cover of one of the band's songs as a single.

(by Holly Frith)