A segment showing X Factor contestants swimming with dolphins while taking part in the Judges' Houses stage of the contest has been cut.

The show's final six boys filmed a scene for spin-off show The Xtra Factor in which they watched a dolphin show and swam with the clever aquatic mammals.

But once word of the show got out, an online petition was started up calling on show boss Simon Cowell to pull the segment due to concerns about cruelty to dolphins in captivity.

Petition creator Donna Iliffe-Pollard explained that she wanted "to appeal to Simon Cowell's animal loving nature, encouraging him into reconsidering putting this segment in next weekend's show".

She also expressed concern about the "impact this actual episode will have on the younger generations when they watch it in their millions next week".

The petition had garnered 7,000 names at the when the story broke.

Cowell, famous for his love of dogs and other animals, was also targeted by Twitter users voicing their concerns.

He responded: "Reading your tweets. I had no idea Xtra Factor producers filmed with dolphins. This will NOT be showed on Saturday. I think you all know my view on cruelty to animals so thank you all for your concern."

Reading your tweets. I had no idea Xtra Factor producers filmed with dolphins. This will NOT be showed on Saturday.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) September 30, 2014

I think you all know my view on cruelty to animals so thank you all for your concern.

— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) September 30, 2014