The X Factor returned its the second half of its dramatic quadruple elimination weekend on Sunday.
Tonight’s quarter-final will see Nicole Scherzingers Overs category battle it out for a spot in the semi-final alongside Sharon Osbourne’s Girls.
But it got off to a dramatic start when Simon Cowell accused Nicole Scherzinger of ‘pretending to cry’ during her act Kevin Davy White’s stripped back rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.
Oh dear: Sunday night’s X Factor kicked off with a bang as Simon Cowell accused Nicole Scherzinger of faking tears over her act Kevin Davy White
Anger: A fuming Nicole said: ‘This is all just hogwash, Before I say something my mother won’t be happy with me saying on live TV. You are it.That was pure. Thank you. You made it your own.’
The winner of the prize fight competition will win a songwriting session with Ali Tamposi who wrote Camila Cabello’s number one single Havana.
This week the 10 remaining acts will battle it out during a Crazy In Love themed weekend.
In the spirit of the show Dermot presented giant lovehearts to the judges with Simon’s saying ‘you’re so vain’.
Nicole’s said ‘sher-mazing’ while Sharon’s said ‘Love you Mrs O’ and poor Louis Walsh’s said ‘No thanks’.
Powerful: First up was teen sensation Rai-Elle Williams who performed Jean Knight’s Mr. Big Stuff with a rapping midsection
Playful: Nicole added; ‘I love your hair. I just want to squeeze it. It was so fun, so playful. You remind me of a little baby British Lauryn Hill’
Great: Simon raved: ‘You are just getting better and better and better. You never complain or moan. Some of the vocals were off a little bit. You have to be in the semi-final next week’
First up was teen sensation Rai-Elle Williams who performed Jean Knight’s Mr. Big Stuff with a rapping midsection.
Louis gushed: ‘ I loved everything about it.’
Nicole added; ‘I love your hair. I just want to squeeze it. It was so fun, so playful. You remind me of a little baby British Lauryn Hill
Simon raved: ‘You are just getting better and better and better. You never complain or moan. Some of the vocals were off a little bit. You have to be in the semi-final next week.’
Sharon said: ‘Who other than you could find a song from the 70s and make it current and fun. I just love you!’
That’s Simon’s! In the spirit of the show Dermot presented giant lovehearts to the judges with Simon’s saying ‘you’re so vain’
Love: Sharon looked proud as she held up her loveheart which said Love You Mrs O
Poor Louis! The Irish judge’s love heart said ‘No Thanks’ as he laughed out loud’
Nicole’s act Kevin Davey White, a previous prize fight winner took on Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, with the iconic song stripped back and accompanied by a haunting guitar.
Louis gave a mixed comment saying: ‘You’re a real person. You’ve got real talent. I like what you did with it. I didn’t like it as much as last week.’
Sharon said: ‘I agree you’re one of the biggest talents. You are the nicest person that we’ve ever had here. You took a huge risk. It was good. I don’t feel it was your nest. Rude! (to the crowd baying)’
Simon said: ‘This isn’t going to make me very popular. My gut feeling was the guitar sounded out of tune. It took over the song so well
‘Nicole did pretend to cry and to be fair she’s done well. I believe she’s done well. I’m just being honest
A fuming Nicole said: ‘This is all just hogwash, Before I say something my mother won’t be happy with me saying on live TV. You are it.That was pure. Thank you. You made it your own.’
Matt Linnen took to the stage next with his rock spin on Alicia Keys classic song Fallin’.
Louis said: ‘You’re so consistent. You bring something different. It was rocky. It was good. You have to be safe.
Sharon said amid cheers; ‘This is probably the best performance you’ve done to date. I really did feel genuine emotion from you this week.’
Simon raved: ‘I do believe you are the most improved contestant. You just give it one thousand percent. If only you were better looking. I’m teasing. I suffer from that burden myself. I have a lot of respect for you.
Nicole said: ‘You were in the boxing ring tonight. You came full throttle. I’m so proud of you. You scher-slayed tonight!’
Next up was Holly Tandy with a polished performance of Ariana Grande & The Weeknd’s Love Me Harder.
Simon said; ‘You’ve come back with a way better song. You look more current and relevant. Everyone has come out fighting for a place. You put your stamp on the competition
Nicole said: ‘You come out fighting. I wish you had swagged the vocals a bit more but good job.’
Louis said: ‘I think you could be under pressure. I think you could be in trouble’ as Sharon shouted ‘she’s right up there with everybody else.’
Sharon added; ‘You did yourself proud. I’m really proud of you.
Grace Davies, who said she ‘was crazy in love’ closed the show with original song Hesitate.
Simon said: ‘We’ve got you back again over the past few weeks. You had the confidence and your song stood out among well-known songs. Your energy was there. It’s like your confidence is back.’
Nicole said: ‘You’re such a great songwriter. It reminded me a little of the song I heard before. You’re so talented.’
Louis said: ‘You’re like a seasoned performer. You will have an amazing career after this.’
Sharon raved ‘it was a great song’
Rak-Su were crowned the winners of Saturday night’s live show with their popular rendition of original song Mona Lisa and are in with a chance of winning a session with a renowned songwriter.
But for Sam Black and Sean & Conor Price it was the final curtain as they became the latest contestants eliminated during the dramatic quadruple elimination weekend on the X Factor.
Louis Walsh and his boys category took on Simon Cowell’s Groups category in Saturday night’s show.
Sam Black had failed to impress with his performance of Oops by Little Mix ft Charlie Puth while Sean & Conor had won positive feedback for the rendition of Issues by Julia Michaels.
Last week contestant Kevin Davy White won the viewer vote with a rendition of George Michael’s Fastlove, Pt 1 in a night that paid tribute to the late singer.
But it was Lloyd Macey who won Sunday night’s vote and ended up beating Kevin in the prize fight, winning a chance to support Little Mix in concert in Manchester
It was the end of the line for the final two wildcards last weekend with groups acts Jack and Joel and girl’s singer Alisah Bonaobra eliminated during George Michael week.
Although Jack and Joel’s performance of Wham’s The Edge of Heaven was labelled ‘Wham-mazing’ by Nicole Scherzinger, it wasn’t enough to save them in the public vote.
Meanwhile comeback queen Alisah was booted out of the competition after her cover of Praying For Time failed to impress the judging panel.
This week show favourite Grace Davies has confessed she struggled in rehearsals this week after she suffered from ‘crippling back pain’, which had left her struggling to walk on Friday morning.
The aspiring singer , 20, admitted to The Sun that she was ‘unable to get off the floor for 20 minutes’ due to the pain and had to result in crawling across her bedroom.