Stereo Kicks crisis: Will X Factor dare split up the 8-piece boyband?

It's not quite the Manhattan Project, but constructing an eight-piece boyband on the fly at Boot Camp was a pretty daring experiment for The X Factor.

After finally getting a name, Stereo Kicks outlasted their , but found themselves in the bottom three after a lacklustre performance on "1980s" Week.

"It's hard for me, because when a boy group comes out you feel hysteria in the room - and I don't get that with you," complained Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

"You can all sing, but I'm distracted. I'm not focused."

An Xtra Factor caller suggested to show boss Simon Cowell that eight people is just too many to connect with in a boyband. He replied that he has to "try different things".

Incredibly, Louis Walsh then appeared to throw his own group under the bus, teasing some sort of slimming down or split in the group.

X Factor poll: What should happen to Stereo Kicks?

Nothing - they'll have to take their chances with the other actsSack a few - it's for the greater goodSplit the band - One Stereo and Generation Kicks would both rock!

Nothing - they'll have to take their chances with the other acts100.00%

Sack a few - it's for the greater good0.00%

Split the band - One Stereo and Generation Kicks would both rock!0.00%

"I wouldn't have eight people - I never wanted eight people in the band," Walsh confessed.

"So I'll have to talk to the boys. I wouldn't change anybody but I'll talk to the boys and see if they want to do anything."

How do you solve a problem like Stereo Kicks? Does Louis Walsh summarily sack the worst singers/least attractive boys? That seems a bit Malthusian and more than a little harsh

Eight boys could easily make two four-piece boybands (or four Jedward tribute acts)? We at Digital Spy think Louis's comments may have been a possible foreshadowing of this.

But could the voting public really accept a split - and the extra act - this far into the live shows?

Our idea is to invest in four long trenchcoats and have the smaller boys sit on the taller ones' shoulders - the old Totem Pole Trench Trope.

What do you think The X Factor should do with Stereo Kicks? Vote in our poll and let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

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