HMV has been forced to apologise after a "regrettable technical issue" on its website led to rumours of an X Factor fix ahead of this weekend's final.
Fans of the show were shocked after HMV's website posted an item under its CD Singles Coming Soon category which read: "Amelia Lily X Factor 2011 Winner's Single".
HMV was quick to deny that it had any insider information on the outcome of the final, which will take place at Wembley Arena this weekend and will be decided by a public vote.
HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "Hmv.com was looking to accept customer pre-orders for versions of the X Factor winner's single recorded by each of the three finalists.
"However, due to a technical issue only Amelia Lily's details were uploaded. These have been temporarily removed so that all three finalists details can go up at the same time.
"This has been the result of an unforeseen but regrettable technical issue, for which we apologise and ask that nothing further be construed."
Caren Davis, head of publicity for X Factor, said: "This is absolutely nothing to do with The X Factor, HMV have admitted this was due to a technical error on their site."
A source close to the talent show said they were "very annoyed" about the error.
In the final, Lily will face Marcus Collins and Little Mix, the first girl group to make it to the talent show's finale.
Lily reached the final after being voted off by her mentor Kelly Rowland in the first week of live shows. A public vote later brought her back to replace disgraced Frankie Cocozza, who was booted off after boasting he had used cocaine.
Check out our slideshow of all the weekend's X Factor acts and click on who you think should be walking off with this year's title...