Gary Barlow sparks Twitter row with Carol Decker over tune dig

Ginger singer Carol Decker could be set for a return to the charts following a four-letter row with X?Factor judge Gary Barlow after he accused her of singing out of tune.

T'Pau singer Decker, now 54, found herself the butt of Barlow's joke after Amelia Lily, 17, performed her band's 1987 iconic hit China in Your Hand on Saturday's live show on ITV1.

The Take That star said he preferred Amelia Lily's version because it was 'in tune'.

Decker hit back on Twitter, however, and said: "Gary Barlow you ****! & I had to suffer a Take That concert for the sake of my kids this summer. What's your ******* problem? I actually have perfect pitch."

Shocked by the outburst, the TV?judge later replied: "Sincere apologies for my comment. There was no need. And sorry you had to sit through TT show. The things we do for our kids!"

A number of 80s stars took to the airwaves to show support, including Kim Wilde, who said: "Loving all the publicity darling. Do you think you could get Gary to have a go at me too?"

Holly Johnson, the lead singer from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, also got involved, telling Decker and Wilde that he 'loved it'.

Within hours of the row breaking, tabloid journalists arrived outside the door of Decker, demanding quotes.

She added: "Oh Lordy, tabloid press at my door where in God's name is my lipstick? Help!

"Last word on the matter china in your hand at no 1 for five weeks this time 24 years ago – out of tune for the whole time apparently."

Today fans vowed to propel the song to the Christmas number one slot. It got onto the iTunes chart last night at number 62 and is tipped to go higher.

Decker, who has a staggering 28,000 Twitter followers, has strong Shropshire connections after arriving in the county at the age of seven. She moved with her family to Wellington from her native Liverpool.

She went to St Patrick's Primary School passed her 11-plus exam and went to Wellington High School for Girls, now New College.

She attended Wakeman College, lived in Shrewsbury, and formed T'Pau. The star returned to her roots to play a concert at Shrewsbury's Quarry Park in recent years.