The X Factor faces inquiry over Christina Aguilera and Rihanna dance routines

Almost 3,000 viewers complain to Ofcom over singers' raunchy performances

Christina Aguilera appearing on The X Factor final which was broadcast between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday 11 December. Photograph: ITV ITV1's The X Factor is to be investigated by media regulator Ofcom after more than 4,000 people complained that dance routines by Christina Aguilera and Rihanna in the final earlier this month were inappropriate for a pre-watershed show.The singers performed a series of raunchy routines in the first part of the final of the Simon Cowell talent show which was broadcast between 7pm and 9pm on Saturday 11 December.Ofcom said it had received 2,750 complaints. Another 1,500 people complained to ITV.The number of complaints have more than doubled since images from the final were printed in a double-page spread in the Daily Mail last Tuesday, under the headline, "We apologise to readers but you have to see these pictures to understand the fury they've stirred".Insiders at the show were said to be frustrated that the paper had published still images from the routines.The paper has appeared to turn the show into something of a crusade, with columnist Jan Moir complaining about "sex-crazed nymphs before the watershed".The Mail also took Ofcom to task in a leader column last week for "dragging its feet" over whether to investigate the "deeply louche and decadent ... very adult dance routines", which it said should be "considered without delay".Rihanna performed her latest single, What's My Name, while Aguilera sang two songs including Express from the film, Burlesque.Ofcom's broadcasting code aims to "protect children from sexualised content", with section 1.3 of the code stating that "children must be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them".The Saturday night show, which began at 7pm, was watched by an average audience of just over 14 million viewers.Matt Cardle was revealed as this year's winner of The X Factor in the second part of the final broadcast on Sunday, which had a five-minute viewing peak of nearly 20 million viewers.by guardian.co.ukThank's