Natalia Kills, Willy Moon fired from X Factor NZ

UPDATED 3.18PM: Two judges from the television show X Factor have been sacked over an 'outburst' which has drawn derision on social media. 

MediaWorks chief executive Mark Weldon said in a statement Natalia Kills and Willy Moon were no longer suitable judges of the 'talent' show.

“Last night on X Factor both Kills and Moon made comments that were completely unacceptable. While the judges on X Factor are expected to provide critiques of the performances, we will not tolerate such destructive tirades from any of the judges."

"We no longer have confidence that Kills and Moon are the right people to perform the role of The X Factor judges, and they will leave the show, effective immediately."

TV3 was forced to apologise after husband and wife judges Kills and Moon humiliated contestant Joe Irvine and called him "disgusting" and "creepy".

Kills accused Irvine of copying her husband, fellow judge Willy Moon, "from the hair to the suit", and said he was a "laughing stock" and made her "sick". Moon added that Irvine reminded him of a creepy killer and found his performance of Cry Me a River "cheap and absurd".

Sponsors of the show were believed to be under pressure to withdraw support from the show. 

A petition calling for Kills to be sacked had already gained 60,000 signatures by midday today. 

More to come.