X Factor hopeful drops iTunes track

X Factor hopeful Nicola-Marie Bloor has been told to remove her single from iTunes after it emerged she was selling a track through the download store, which could break show rules.

The singer had released the song Freaky Tonight through Apple's online shop - recorded well before her appearance on the show - but contestants are not supposed to sell their music while taking part in this stage of the contest.

Nicola-Marie - who issued the song under the name Nikia - is now trying to have the track removed from the site.

The Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse tribute act was seen on the ITV1 show on Saturday night with an energetic routine which divided the judges.

Her performance of Taylor Dayne's Tell It to My Heart was dismissed as "dated" by Gary Barlow, but guest judge Mel B said she "properly loved it".

A spokeswoman for The X Factor said: "All contestants have been asked to remove their recordings as it is essential that all the contestants are treated fairly during the competition and, where possible, receive the same exposure. Nicola-Marie is in the process of removing the recording."