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X Factor’s Emily Middlemas accused of ripping off The Voice USA contestant with her Britney Spears cover

Fans said the Scottish teenager’s performance of Toxic sounded exactly like the American singer’s version

X FACTOR’S Emily Middlemas has been accused of ripping off her cover of Britney Spears’ Toxic from a contestant on The Voice USA.

The Scottish teenager took to the stage during last night’s live shows for her first performance of the night, an acoustic version of the pop star’s 2004 hit song.

 X Factor's Emily Middlemas sang an acoustic version of Britney Spears' Toxic on last night's show
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X Factor's Emily Middlemas sang an acoustic version of Britney Spears' Toxic on last night's showCredit: ITV1

She wowed the judges and fans with her acoustic ukulele rendition of the song, which was chosen by judge Louis Walsh as part of the ‘Louis Loves’ themed week.

But some viewers couldn’t help but notice a massive similarity between Emily’s performance and one by singer Melanie Martinez.

 But some fans thought it sounded EXACTLY like 2012 The Voice USA contestant Melanie Martinez's version
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But some fans thought it sounded EXACTLY like 2012 The Voice USA contestant Melanie Martinez's versionCredit: NBC

Martinez appeared on The Voice USA in 2012 and her performance of the song caused mentors Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green to hit their buzzers and turn round.

She ended up on Adam’s team but was eliminated in the sixth week of the show.

Last night, 18-year-old Middlemas came on stage to sing Toxic, her first song of the night, and played it on a ukulele, which she said she only learnt to play last weekend.

But while many took to Twitter to praise her performance, others weren’t so kind and slammed the youngster, accusing her of ripping off Martinez.

One wrote: “Sorry @emilymiddlemas_ but some of us know you fully copied Melanie Martinez on that performance."

Another added: "Emily Middlemas version of Toxi" Ummm, darling you're ripping off Melanie Martinez's version on The Voice."

And one other fan said: "I love u Emily Middlemas but you've fully copied Melanie Martinez so pls pls pls do not say u added ur 'original' twist to this song."

Emily’s second song of the night was Rag ‘N’ Bone Man’s Human, which Nicole said had “paid off” for the teenager.

 Emily wowed the judges and audience but she is second favourite to leave the show tonight
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Emily wowed the judges and audience but she is second favourite to leave the show tonightCredit: ITV1

But Emily, who bid farewell to her boyfriend Ryan Lawrie after he was voted out last week, is second favourite to go behind Honey G in tonight’s results show.

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