X Factor fans last night ­threatened to boycott the show after Sunday’s fix claims fiasco sparked a furious backlash from viewers and celebs.

ITV and Ofcom were hit by more than 2,500 complaints and tens of thousands took to Twitter to slam the decision to send Carolynne Poole home amid ­allegations that ­dithering Louis Walsh was told to change his vote to ­deadlock – which saved novelty act Rylan Clark.

Boss Richard Holloway was yesterday unmasked as the executive seen on camera crawling along the studio floor to have a word in the Irish judge’s ear during the sing-off between the rivals.

The 62-year-old is one of Simon Cowell’s closest pals and also works as his axeman.

The fix: Holloway chats to Louis before vote while Carolynne sings

He was the one who told Cheryl Cole and Kelly Brook they were sacked.

Angry celebrities were among those tweeting their disgust at the antics while ­Carolynne claimed she was sacrificed by producers who knew a row would spark more interest in the ailing show.

The Mirror was in the studio on Sunday when Holloway was spotted having a word with Walsh as the 32-year-old singer from Leeds performed.

The flustered judge initially put ­Carolynne through but also said he wanted to keep Rylan, 23.

With host Dermot O’Leary barking at him to reveal who he was sending home, he finally threw the ­decision over the public, who had voted to keep Rylan.

Row: Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Richard Holloway

As Ofcom revealed it may launch an inquiry into the fix claims, Tamzin ­Outhwaite led the chorus of fury from celebrities.

The actress tweeted: “I feel free knowing I will never watch X factor again after last night’s fiasco. My weekends are mine again.”

James Corden branded the decision “bulls***”.

Gary Barlow’s Take That pal Howard Donald said: “Joke decision on xfactor tonight kids.”

Saved: Rylan Clark was branded 'tone deaf' by some viewers

Mirror columnist Coleen Nolan posted: “I’m ­horrified!! What a joke and a total fix!!”

Dancing On Ice judge Louie Spence added: “Why bother being a judge if you can’t do the job.”

Judge Gary had already dubbed the ­decision to keep Rylan a “f****** joke”.

He stormed off set and friends said he only returned to console Carolynne.

Gary texted the singer yesterday to tell her he was “still angry” and was not speaking to Walsh.

Viewers tweeted to complain that Rylan was “tone deaf” while one, Benjamin Hendley described ­Carolynne as “far and away the stand out act”.

Upset: Carolynne Poole weeps after getting axe

The storm erupted when Walsh told Dermot after the sing-off: “It’s a really ­difficult one. I want to keep ­Carolynne.”

But he then said: “I want to save Rylan.” Even Dermot seemed annoyed.

He later posted a picture of himself on Twitter and wrote: “Weird show. For those asking I have to ask who the judges are sending home, not save. Straight question. Been like that’s for nine years!”

Holloway is Cowell’s representative here while the media mogul is in the US.

Walkout: Gary Barlow leaving studio

A show source said: “Richard calls the shots but likes to stay behind the scenes, the last thing he wanted was to be shown ­slithering like a snake ­alongside Louis moments before he makes a vital ­decision.

"This could impact on viewing figures. Choosing that camera at that moment was a monumental f*** up and there was screaming and shouting backstage about it. Sunday night was a shambles.”

Carolynne admitted she feared the worst when she saw Walsh talking to Holloway.

She said: “I’m p****d off. Last night has done it’s job. I am ­casualty, but everyone is talking about the show again.”

Holloway said in a ­statement: “We regularly chat to the judges during the show, they don’t wear earpieces like Dermot so we have to speak to them on anything from timings to running order changes.

"On Sunday I was telling Louis the order the judges would vote in. We don’t tell judges how to vote.”