John and Edward lose their voices but not annoyingness as they head to the studio for rehearsals 

Current Halloween costume favourites, Jonathan Edwards, will have to up their annoyance factor even more now that the little vocal talent they once had might have gone. This year's Joke Act were snapped on Harley Street yesterday afternoon where they rebuffed claims they'd caught swine flu (PHEW!), but confirmed that they were seeing a voice specialist (prognosis, bleak). 

A source told the Mirror: 

"The boys have been struck down by the curse of X Factor. There are lots of sniffles around at the moment and coupled with the pressure their voices are under, it's no surprise they have got sore throats. They have been told to take it easy so that is what they are doing. The boys are desperate to perform and everyone is hopeful they will be well enough to do so."

Not really everyone though; the show's choreographer Brian Friedman is the latest to appeal to viewers to pull the plug on the twins. In an interview set to run in tomorrow's News of the World, he claims that listening to them sing is like "entering the gates of hell", before adding:

"I really hope the viewers with actual music taste got the wake up call they needed with Danyl and Miss Frank being in the bottom two last week - they have to get voting for people who can sing.

 

"I absolutely do not think the Grimes twins deserve to win. And I'm not alone in that - but if you want to make a change you've got to get on the phone and vote."

They still have plenty of support on side though. Lovely.