Fans label X Factor's new format 'cruel'

X Factor Australia contestant Big T was in tears after his performance failed to impress. Photo / Channel 7

A new format twist on The X Factor Australia had several young men in tears and has been labelled "cruel" by the reality show's fans.

The five-seat challenge, which has become the bootcamp section of the Seven Network talent series, is a sing-off among the acts in each category.

If an artist is successful they take a seat, meaning they have earned a place in the next stage of competition.

However, as two of the under-25 males discovered in crooner Chris Isaak's group, the final five can change dramatically.

Even if all the seats are filled, the coach can eject one of the chosen artists for another performer.

The new five-seat challenge left some under 25 boys in tears, with Chris Isaak even taking tissues to the stage.

Isaak bumped two of his young acts who had already been given a seat, much to the distaste of the studio audience.

They booed and jeered the Somebody's Crying hitmaker.

The show's fans also took to social media to criticise the new five-seat challenge.

One viewer, Catherine Schythe, described the new system as "horrible" and "unfair" on Twitter.

Melissa Edwards said it was "cruel".

"Much prefer the old way of selecting top five," she tweeted.

Yolanda agreed, writing: "I don't like this 'swap' business. #cruel", while Bonnie posted: "This is a painful way of making selections. Gotta be a better way! Putting me off watching!."

The pressure of the challenge certainly got to several of the young men.

Tears were not only shed by performers who missed out but also guys who had been successful.

"Boys. Cry less. Sing better," tweeted Mark.

Five performers - Michael Duchesne, Jimmy Davis, Andrew Lambru, Cyrus Villanueva and Big T - on Sunday made it through to the next stage.

The heartbreaking performance of the night was from 15-year-old Isaiah Firebrace who, despite immense talent, forgot the words to Tracy's Chapman's Fast Car.

"Omg!! I wanted to cry with Isaiah," wrote Jim-E.

If Isaak created controversy with his selections, UK singer James Blunt is in for some trouble on Monday.

Blunt has already filled four of his five seats with the first four singers that performed in the over-25 age group. There are seven more contestants to sing.

- AAP