Jack Walton was the first act to be voted off in The X Factor's double elimination this week.The 18-year-old student was a firm favourite from the beginning of the show but surprisingly received the lowest public votes on Saturday.
"I don't know where to start. It has been amazing, a world away from what I'm used to. I've just loved it," he said as he thanked the public for their endless support. Earlier in the week, head judge Simon Cowell announced the show’s shocking double elimination. "No sing off, just whoever is in the bottom is out. And there's a sing off on Sunday," he said.
Ben Haenow kicked off the night with an impressive rendition of AC/DC's Highway to Hell, getting the judges up on their feet.
"What just happened?" joked Mel B as the judges were shocked with his confident take on the well-known rock classic. Next to take to the stage was Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's act, Lola Saunders, who sang a slow version of Briney Spears' Crazy, and received praise from the judges, with Simon calling it "spine-tinglingly good."
Fright Night continued to surprise when Fleur East too the mic, opting to sing a brave performance of Michael Jackson's Thriller, and dancing to the famously complicated choreography. However, despite Louis Walsh calling her the "best performer in the competition by a mile," Mel B was concerned that her dancing skills compromised her vocals. The disappointment continued on Saturday as Jack Walton's performance failed to impress the judges, with Louis calling the Yorkshire singer "a small room performer."
Fortunately, the night took a turn for the better when Jay James sang Tears for Fears' Mad World which was branded "surprisingly spot on" by Mel B while Andrea Faustini’s vocal performance of Take That's Relight My Fire went down a treat with the judges, with the Italian student reminding Louis of a "young, golden Gary Barlow".
Meanwhile, Lauren Platt impressed with Katy Perry’s Dark Horse but was warned by Simon that her vocals weren't up to her usual standards. As the pressure mounted, Paul Akister was next to perform and wowed the judges with his powerful rendition of Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell.
Only the Young then took to the stage to sing Bobby Pickett’s The Monster Mash, seeing them receive high praise from the judges following their near departure last Sunday.
The next group to perform was Stero Kicks who "killed it", according to Mel B with their upbeat performance of the Backstreet Boys' spooky Everybody.
The final act of the night was Stevi Ritchie, who earlier in the week was spotted enjoying a casual meal in a chain of Harvester restaurants with his mentor, Simon Cowell.
The father-of-one belted out a confident vocal performance of Music Of The Night from the Phantom Of The Opera and was described as a “hero” by his mentor.
Tune in tomorrow on ITV at 8pm to find out the second act to be leaving The X Factor this week.
