Gary Barlow: An over-28 can win The X Factor this year

Gary Barlow is in charge of the over-28s category this year on the show

X Factor judge Gary Barlow has insisted that one of the acts in his over-28s category can win the competition this year.

The only time a contestant from the older group has taken the top spot was Steve Brookstein in 2004.

The category has become better known for novelty performers such as Wagner and Kitty Brucknell.

But the Take That star, who's taken over the group from Louis Walsh this year, said it was "no longer a joke".

The 41-year-old picked chimney sweep Kye Sones, 30, stay-at-home mum Melanie Masson, 44, and country music fan Carolynne Poole, 32, to take through to the live shows of the ITV1 show.

"They're super-talented people," he said.

"They've really earned their space on the stage this Saturday night."

Gary Barlow also criticised the name of his category.

"It's the word 'over' in there. It's not over at all for these guys.

"It seems like a funny branding but we're stuck with it so let's use it. Over-28s here we come."

Meanwhile, one of the contestants that Gary Barlow sent home from judges' houses, Christopher Maloney, could return to the show.

He's part of a wild card public vote against Amy Mottram (Girls' category), Times Red (Groups) and Adam Burridge (Boys' category) that will see one of them become a 13th finalist.