X Factor app generates millions of taps to clap (and boo)

Official iPhone application saw more than 17.6m interactions last Saturday alone.

The X Factor UK's official mobile app is letting viewers of the current series 'tap to clap' on their phones, and it seems many are taking advantage of the feature.

The app, which is available for iPhone, lets people register their appreciation or dislike for a contestant or judge's comment by tapping their screen to either 'Boo' or 'Clap'. This is converted into a swingometer that runs from Rubbish, through Bad and Good to 'OMG!'.

FremantleMedia Enterprises - the show's producer - tells ME that over the three Saturday night live shows so far in the series, the app has registered more than 31 million claps and boos. 17,656,494 of them came last Saturday, indicating that the app is picking up steam as the series progresses.

The app has been developed by UK firm Live Talkback, which has previously worked on apps for Britain's Got Talent, as well as its own Tellybug social TV app. Its BGT app let viewers virtually buzz off contestants as they performed.