The night before Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne chose their final three acts to take through to X Factor’s live shows.
And tensions continued to be at an all-time high as the Groups mentor Simon Cowell and the Boys’ mentor Louis Walsh chose their final acts – forming the final twelve acts that will battle it out to be crowned champs of the ITV singing competition.
Sunday’s episode kicked off with the Groups heading to the South of France, where Simon was joined by guest mentor, and former judge, Cheryl, who descended from the sky in a helicopter – making quite the glamorous statement.
Sunday’s episode of X Factor kicked off with the Groups heading to the South of France, where Simon was joined by guest mentor, and former judge, Cheryl
The former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl descended from the sky in a helicopter – making quite the glamorous statement
Addressing the nervous groups, Cheryl admitted: ‘Just have the time of your life. I’ve been wear your standing, I’ve been where he’s standing. I’m just here to tell him what’s cool now.’
First up to perform where family band The Cutkelvins, who admitted that their parents always wanted them to sing.
‘It wasn’t until our dad passed away that we realised life is too short,’ the siblings revealed before they delivered an energetic performance of Camila Cabello’s Havana.
The tune, which was completed with a rap, had both the judges grooving and on completion Simon gushed: ‘My God, that was really good!
‘The right direction, a million perfect!’ Simon enthused before Cheryl admitted: ‘I want to dance with you!’
I’ve been wear your standing’: Cheryl addressing the nervous groups as she admitted she was there to help Simon figure out what was ‘cool’ nowadays
‘Life is too short!’: First up to perform where family band The Cutkelvins, who admitted that their parents always wanted them to sing
The siblings delivered an energetic performance of Camila Cabello’s Havana
The performance was well received by Cheryl
Next up it was the first of the girlband – Lemonade, who wowed Simon with Fatboy Slim’s Praise You.
Simon was clearly impressed as he told them: ‘You have no idea how much respect we have for you after doing that.
‘I thought it was going to be boring but that was a statement!’
Lemonade’s biggest rival – the newly formed girlbrand, who were put together at the boot camp stage, were next to take the stage.
The girls, who had yet to decide on a group name, were all rejected from Sharon’s category at the six-chair challenge – but were all given another chance.
‘We’ve been working really hard and we are literally like sisters!’
Next up it was the first of the girlband – Lemonade, who wowed Simon with Fatboy Slim’s Praise You
Simon was clearly impressed as he told them: ‘You have no idea how much respect we have for you after doing that’
Lemonade’s biggest rival – the newly formed girlbrand, who were put together at the boot camp stage, were next to take the stage
Cheryl also admitted to the girls that bonding ‘wasn’t easy’ – to which the girls admitted that was the reason they were excited to have her as a guest judges.
The girls delivered an immaculate performance of Labyrinth misbehaviour.
Proving things were getting difficult for them, Simon admitted: ‘I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of work to do, this is hard. You are talented and that to me is everything!
Cheryl couldn’t help but gush to Simon: ‘This is most exciting Judges Houses I have ever done!’
Up next was duo Jack and Joel, Oxford university graduates, who admitted that music is ‘entirely’ what they wanted to do over ‘geography and maths’.
They went on to perform a medley of Pink’s Get This Parted Started and Missy Elliot’s Get Your Freak On.
Cheryl couldn’t help but gush to Simon: ‘This is most exciting Judges Houses I have ever done!’
Up next was duo Jack and Joel, Oxford university graduates, who admitted that music is ‘entirely’ what they wanted to do over ‘geography and maths’
They went on to perform a medley of Pink’s Get This Parted Started and Missy Elliot’s Get Your Freak On
‘I could listen to you for hours. I like you two, ‘ Simon told them, before Cheryl added they were ‘interesting.’
When the duo walked away, a smug Cheryl told Simon: ‘You’re screwed.’
Next up were early fan favourites Rak-Su, who began their audition on a playful note as it came to light that Miles was attracted to Cheryl.
As things got more serious, they admitted they had written nine new songs, before whittling it down to one to perform in front of the judges.
After calling it a wrap on their latest original tune, Simon told the group: ‘You have a global appeal’ while Cheryl added: ‘When you rap you’re so London – Americans love that!
Simon added: ‘You have the ability to write hit records and the timing couldn’t be better for you guys. You have to start believing in yourself!’
Next up were early fan favourites Rak-Su, who admitted they had written nine new songs, before whittling it down to one to perform in front of the judges
‘When you rap you’re so London – Americans love that!’ Cheryl offered her verdict on the band’s ‘global appeal’
It also came to light that Rak-Su Miles was attracted to Cheryl
While Cheryl enjoyed the performance, she asked them about the potential to embark on choreographed dance routines to entertain viewers.
‘Coming soon!’ they responded
Last up was brothers Connor and Sean Price, who couldn’t help but point out how different the South of France was in comparison to Ireland.
The charming brothers belted out Pink’s What About us – which Simon admitted was ‘so good.’
‘That’s the best I think you’ve done’ he admitted before Cheryl told them they were ‘natural and confident.’
With all the groups having performed, it was crunch time for Simon who attempted to pick his final three acts with the help of Cheryl.
‘Coming soon!’ While Cheryl enjoyed Rak-Su’s performance, she asked them about the potential to embark on choreographed dance routines to entertain viewers
Last up was brothers Connor and Sean Price, belted out Pink’s What About us – which Simon admitted was ‘so good’
With all the groups having performed, it was crunch time for Simon who attempted to pick his final three acts with the help of Cheryl
While the choice proved to be difficult, Cheryl cheekily asked him: ‘You think you could have done this without me?’
The next morning , it was time for Simon to deliver the verdict and up first was the new girlband – who were told it was the end of the road as it ‘didn’t work out.’
The Cutkelvins were up next and emotionally admitted ‘we hope dad is up there pulling strings for us.’
And their wishes were granted as they sailed through to the live shows.
Up next were duos Jack and Joel who were delivered a ‘no’ verdict, before brothers Connor and Price were given a ‘yes’ from Simon’ – who admitted they ‘don’t even realise how good they could be.’
Next up was the last remaining girl group Lemonade, who were unfortunately given the boot despite Simon admitting the public would have likes them.
While the choice proved to be difficult, Cheryl cheekily asked him: ‘You think you could have done this without me?’
The Cutkelvins were the first group to be put through to the live shows
Brothers Connor and Price were given a ‘yes’ from Simon’ – who admitted they ‘don’t even realise how good they could be’
‘No brainer’: Rak-Su were the final group to be put through to the live shows
Rak-Su were the last ones up and Simon told them it was a ‘no-brainer’ as he put them through to the live shows in his final position.
After the break it was time for Louis Walsh’s boys to take centre stage as they arrived in Istanbul, where they took in the local sights and enjoyed a dinner with their mentor.
The next day, singer and songwriter Mika was revealed as their judges and the show got down to business with Aidan Martin belting out Ariana Grande’s One Last Time
‘You sang from the heart, you meant it’, a clearly impressed Louis told Aidan, who informed him: ‘It’s been a long time coming!’
Mike told Aidan as he welled up: ‘Dont cry, you just sang so well!’
After Aidan walked away, Louis confided in Mike that he though he was ‘too desperate’ and could potentially be a ‘risk.’
Next up was formerly axed contestant Sam Black, who was eliminated during bootcamp, but given another chance to come back to Judges Houses.
‘Can’t explain how lucky I am to be here,’ Sam admitted as he broke down in tears.
After the break it was time for Louis Walsh’s boys to take centre stage as they arrived in Istanbul, where they were joined by mentor Mika
The show got down to business with Aidan Martin belting out Ariana Grande’s One Last Time
Standing in front of Louis and Mika, the contestant delivered an energetic performance of Otis Redding’s Hard to Handle.
‘It was nice to see you like that,’ Louis informed him.
Mike offered some criticism, as he told Louis, ‘the way he was moving his head, he doesn’t have the technique!’
Next to perform for Louis was Leon Mallett who rapped his version of Gabrielle’s Dreams.
The act, who initially auditioned for X Factor with his brother before they were separated, impressed Louis and Mika.
Jack Mason, who revealed he was ‘prepped and pumped’ was next up and sang Clown by Emeli Sande – executing quite the emotional performance.
Next up was formerly axed contestant Sam Black, who was eliminated during bootcamp, but given another chance to come back to Judges Houses
Mike offered some criticism, as he told Louis, ‘the way he was moving his head, he doesn’t have the technique!’
Next to perform for Louis was Leon Mallett who rapped his version of Gabrielle’s Dreams
The act, who initially auditioned for X Factor with his brother before they were separated, impressed Louis and Mika
He was immediately given a round of applause from Louis, while Mika told hailed his delivery as ‘insanely ambitious.’
Ohio born Spencer was next up and admitted that he loves being in Britain and was in awe of everything, from the ‘food to the culture.’
While he seemed confident on the outside, Spencer admitted that he had ‘trouble opening up.’
The Stateside star sang his original tune ‘Wasted Time’ – which was about his father who he wanted to make ‘proud.’
‘That’s a good song. It takes a lot of courage to be fragile,’ Mika told Spencer.
The final boy to perform was Lloyd Macey who took on How Far I’ll go from the Disney animated flick, Moana.
Jack Mason, who revealed he was ‘prepped and pumped’ was next up and sang Clown by Emeli Sande – executing quite the emotional performance
Ohio born Spencer was next up and sang his original tune ‘Wasted Time’ – which was about his father who he wanted to make ‘proud’
The final boy to perform was Lloyd Macey who took on How Far I’ll go from the Disney animated flick, Moana
‘I think there’s no one like you. You hold up your differences like a flag’ Mike told him, which drove Lloyd to tears.
After the final six performed, it was crunch time for Louis, who took on the difficult decision to pick the final six with the help of Mika.
‘There are some people who are more credible than others,’ Mike informed Louis, as they pondered over the photos of the six contestants who had performed in-front of them earlier on in the day.
‘It’s my time to win!’ a defiant Louis told Mika.
‘It’s my time to win!’ After the final six performed, it was crunch time for Louis, who took on the difficult decision to pick the final six with the help of Mika
A nervous Spencer was finally given the news he craved- a yes
First up to given their fate was Jack, whose nerves were clearly visible, before Louis told him it was the end of the road.
Leon was next to be let go by Louis, while a nervous Spencer was finally given the news he craved- a yes.
Hoping for his second shot at X Factor stardom was Sam, who was put through to live shows, proving his hard work had paid off.
There was only one place left in the live shows – and it was between Lloyd and Aidan – a place that was filled by Lloyd.
Hoping for his second shot at X Factor stardom was Sam, who was put through to live shows, proving his hard work had paid off
There was only one place left in the live shows – a place that was filled by Lloyd