Spencer Sutherland has become the first act to be eliminated from The X Factor.
The Ohio born 25-year-old was given the devastating news as he waited to hear his fate alongside wildcard Leon Mallett, 22.
And in a new twist for this year, Grace Davies was revealed as the act that secured the highest number of votes, pitting her in a sing-off on Sunday’s show with their most popular act.
Goodbye: Spencer Sutherland has become the first act to be eliminated from The X Factor
Oh dear: Blunder: And in a new twist for this year, Grace Davies was revealed as the act that secured the highest number of votes, pitting her in a sing-off on Sunday’s show with their most popular act, leading Dermot to make an epic blunder
Sam Black was the first act announced to be safe before teenager Rai-Elle was confirmed to be in next week’s competition.
Holly Tandy and Grace were then given the welcome news they would be staying.
Lloyd Macey was next to be safely through along with Alisah Bonaobra
It left Spencer and Leon looking grim-faced as Dermot announced it was Spencer who was bidding farewell to the competition.
Waiting to hear their fate: The vocalists lined up to hear if they would sing next week
Bad news; Spencer and wildcard Leon Mallett looked downcast as they waited to hear who was going home
Exit: It left Spencer and Leon looking grim-faced as Dermot announced it was Spencer who was bidding farewell to the competition
No hard feelings: Spencer looked emotional as he hugged Leon before he bid farewell to the X Factor
Farewell: Spencer looked gutted as he was voted off in week one with Louis by his side
End of the line: The singer said he was grateful for the competition and the support given to him
He said; ‘Thanks so much to all my friends up there. Thanks for the opportunity’
But Dermot was to make an epic blunder as he gave Grace the welcome news she had topped the viewers vote.
Earlier in the show Dermot revealed for the first time viewers will find out who has received the highest number of votes on each night, with the Saturday and Sunday winner going head-to-head for a glittering fly trip to New York where they will meet Pink.
He mistakenly congratulated Grace that she was off to NYC, saying:
‘You’re off to see Pink, how does it feel?’
Fan favourite: Grace Davies topped the viewers vote in week one and was shocked
Congrats; The acts gathered around Grace as she looked on in shock
Oh no Dermot: The host mistakenly congratulated Grace that she was off to NYC, despite her having to sing-off on Sunday to win it saying: ‘You’re off to see Pink, how does it feel?’
Back to business: A baffled Grace replied: ‘I’ve got to win it first’ There was an awkward silence as Dermot stared at Grace before saying; ‘Oh sorry I got a bit carried away there’
Wow: Holly screamed as she made it through to the next round
Well done: Alisah sobbed as she received the news she was through to week 2
Hugs: Louis embraced Sam Black as he got through to the next stage of the competition
A baffled Grace replied: ‘I’ve got to win it first’
There was an awkward silence as Dermot stared at Grace before saying; ‘Oh sorry I got a bit carried away there’
This came as The X Factor returned for the first live show, without an injured Simon Cowell.
Judges Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger put on a united front as they strutted out in front of waiting crowds, ahead of the first elimination.
Nicole looked fabulous in a split gold skirt while Sharon looked chic in a black floor-length gown and Louis rocked a velvet blazer.
Party of three: Judges Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger put on a united front as they strutted out in front of waiting crowds, ahead of the first elimination
Leggy: Nicole put on a typically flamboyant display as she appeared to risk a wardrobe malfunction on-stage
As host Dermot joked; ‘You’re loving it’ then said ‘who put the banana skin at the top of the stairs?’ Nicole responded ‘It was a team effort.’
Dermot said: ‘This is like murder on the orient express’
Sharon said:’ it was me in the library with the candlesticks’
Louis deflecting the blame said; ‘I was downstairs buying the milk, it was one of those two’
Tonight Louis Walsh’s Boys Category and Sharon Osbourne’s Girls group will perform with the theme being Express Yourself.
Joker: As host Dermot joked; ‘You’re loving it’ then said ‘who put the banana skin at the top of the stairs?’ Nicole responded ‘It was a team effort’ (above with Liam Payne)
Glam: Nicole looked fabulous in a split gold skirt while Sharon looked chic in a black floor-length gown and Louis rocked a velvet blazer
Wardrobe malfunction? Nicole appeared to pull down her skirt as she curtseyed
Power trio: Nicole couldn’t stop shouting as the judges walked out hand-in-hand
Grace Davies, Holly Tandy, Rai-Elle Williams and wildcard Alisah Bonaobra will take to the stage for Sharon while Lloyd Macey, Sam Black, Spencer Sutherland and wildcard Leon Mallett will represent Louis.
Dermot revealed for the first time viewers will find out who has received the highest number of votes on each night, with the Saturday and Sunday winner going head-to-head for a glittering fly trip to New York where they will meet Pink.
Rai-Elle Williams, 16, from Croydon took to the stage with a mashup of three songs Doo-Wop (That Thing) and the Meghan Trainor track No.
It was you: Louis was loving his new role as the show’s alpha male as he pointed at Sharon
Shock: Dermot said: ‘This is like murder on the orient express’
Thumbs up: Louis deflecting the blame said; ‘I was downstairs buying the milk, it was one of those two’
Work it; Rai-Elle Williams, 16, from Croydon took to the stage with a mashup of three songs Doo-Wop (That Thing) and the Meghan Trainor track No
Polished; The teenager prowled the stage clad in a sequinned t-shirt and cut-out trousers
The teenager prowled the stage clad in a sequinned t-shirt and cut-out trousers.
Sharon said: ‘You should be so happy. You are just everything, you’ve got talent, you’ve got a brilliant future.’
Louis gushed:’What a way to start the show. Watching you there was like watching an established star.
Nicole raved: ‘You might be four years old but you pack a lot of punch. You’re so diddy, iddy, biddy. That’s probably my favourite mash-up I’ve heard on the show.’
Next up was Spencer Sutherland, 25, from Ohio, with Jessie J- Who You are.
Sharon said: ‘You have a really strong voice. But your look is a bit boyband’
Powerful: Next up was Spencer Sutherland, 25, from Ohio, with Jessie J- Who You are
Positive: Sharon said: ‘You have a really strong voice. But your look is a bit boyband’
Fire; Louis then retorted ‘He works really hard. There’s nothing wrong with being boyband’ leading Sharon to spit back ‘he’s a soloist’
Louis then retorted ‘He works really hard. There’s nothing wrong with being boyband’ leading Sharon to spit back ‘he’s a soloist.
Nicole gushed ‘You did a great job’.
Former judge Cheryl also made a cameo on-screen expressing her love for absent judge Simon from the audience.
She said: ‘First of all I really miss you Simon. I know he’s on the sofa watching this. We love you, we’ll be cheering for all the groups. The public did a great job with Jack and Joel’
Holly Tandy, 16, from Yorkshire wowed with a powerful performance of Tori Kelly’s Hollow surrounded by acrobats.
Animated: The judges were clearly loving being back on the panel
Making fun of his catchphrase, Louis said: ‘We need another popstar, you DO look like a popstar. That was incredible.
Nicole said: ‘Are you the youngest? You’re so beyond your years already, you’re such a natural on that stage. It’s not big balls, you got big lungs.
Sharon said: ‘As Louis says, you look like a popstar, you sing like one. Mrs, who knew?’
Next up was the first wildcard for Louis Walsh, Leon Mallett, 22 from Lingwood, Norfolk
Comeback; Former judge Cheryl also made a cameo on-screen expressing her love for absent judge Simon from the audience
Gushing: She said: ‘First of all I really miss you Simon. I know he’s on the sofa watching this. We love you, we’ll be cheering for all the groups. The public did a great job with Jack and Joel’
Belting out: Holly Tandy, 16, from Yorkshire wowed with a powerful performance of Tori Kelly’s Hollow surrounded by acrobats
Wow factor: Holly looked lovely in a white studded dress and heels as she sang
Praise: Making fun of his catchphrase, Louis said: ‘We need another popstar, you DO look like a popstar. That was incredible’
He originally made it through with brother Alex but his brother was booted off the show.
He wowed with a confident version of Zedd and Alessia Cara’s hit Stay, complete with an rapping interval.
Sharon said: ‘My goodness me, you’ve had a soap opera going on since the time we met you, the public brought you back, they are always right, you belong here.’
Nicole was slightly less positive saying ‘I’m so happy to see you back, I’ve always adored you. I don’t think that was the best song to start with, you still killed it, I know there’s more to come.’
Louis said: ‘I liked the song, you have a lot more to give.’
Comeback: Next up was the first wildcard for Louis Walsh, Leon Mallett, 22 from Lingwood, Norfolk
Smile: He wowed with a confident version of Zedd and Alessia Cara’s hit Stay, complete with an rapping interval
Praise; Nicole was slightly less positive saying ‘I’m so happy to see you back, I’ve always adored you. I don’t think that was the best song to start with, you still killed it, I know there’s more to come’
Comeback queen and wildcard Alisah Bonaobra,22 from the Philippines was up next.
She finished as a runner-up on The Voice Philippines.
She belted out This Is My Now by Jordin Sparks confidently, clad in a metallic mini-dress.
Louis said: ‘That song is perfect for you. You deserve to be back. It’s almost like a winners song. You’ve got great soul. Sharon this girl is going to be here for a long time.’
Nicole said: ‘You are my Disney Warrior princess, I freakin adore you. That is my ninja Filipina princess up there. That’s your stage you took it tonight honey.
Vocal: Comeback queen and wildcard Alisah Bonaobra,22 from the Philippines was up next
Glam: She belted out This Is My Now by Jordin Sparks confidently, clad in a metallic mini-dress
Won them over: Louis said: ‘That song is perfect for you. You deserve to be back. It’s almost like a winners song. You’ve got great soul. Sharon this girl is going to be here for a long time’
Sharon raved: ‘Everybody says they want it, I know your story, with a voice like yours, you’re going to be here til the end.’
Cheryl’s other half Liam Payne, 24 also had a quick chat with Dermot before taking a swipe at Miles from boyband Rak-Su for flirting with his girlfriend.
Speaking of his nerves on the live shows for 1D he said: ‘The sliding doors when you come from behind. You have to take a deep breath. As soon as you start, that was always my job in One Direction. I was the starter.’
‘The Cutkelvins have done well. Rai-Elle did a great job. And obviously he (points at Miles) fancies my missus so I’ve got to watch out for him.’
Protective; Cheryl’s other half Liam Payne, 24 also had a quick chat with Dermot before taking a swipe at Miles from boyband Rak-Su for flirting with his girlfriend
Started nicely enough: Speaking of his nerves on the live shows for 1D he said: ‘The sliding doors when you come from behind. You have to take a deep breath. As soon as you start, that was always my job in One Direction. I was the starter’
Favourites: ‘The Cutkelvins have done well. Rai-Elle did a great job’, he said
Point you out: He continued; ‘And obviously he (points at Miles) fancies my missus so I’ve got to watch out for him.’
Got my eye on you: Handsome Liam shot a piercing stare in his rival’s direction
Sam Black, 20, from Liverpool went for a rock ‘n’ roll inspired performance of Faith by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, complete with salon and milkshake graphics.
Sharon said: ‘You are so likeable, I just want you to do well. However you know you’ve got a tough ride ahead of you. You know what your competition is. You did really well.’
Nicole said: ‘You’re just a tall glass of refreshing for me. It’s all positive, it’s lots of fun. I got faith in you baby
Louis said: ‘You’re so down to earth. You need to start believing in yourself
Rolling: Sam Black, 20, from Liverpool went for a rock ‘n’ roll inspired performance of Faith by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, complete with salon and milkshake graphics
Cool: Sharon said: ‘You are so likeable, I just want you to do well. However you know you’ve got a tough ride ahead of you. You know what your competition is. You did really well’
Sharon then shrieked: ‘He’s got awfully skinny legs. They’re like a straw.’ before Sam said: ‘I don’t think my vocals were the best’.
Grace Davies, 20, from Blackburn was next with her own song Too Young. Her first audition saw her perform original song Roots.
Louis couldn’t get enough and said; ‘All I can say is this is the start of your career in music, it’s like a song in the charts already. You’re young and talented.’
An animated Nicole said: ‘It takes big balls to sing an original up there. It’s an amazing song. It was probably not my favourite performance of yours. I’m not used to all the production, you were great.’
Well done: Grace Davies, 20, from Blackburn was next with her own song Too Young. Her first audition saw her perform original song Roots
Fan favourite: Louis couldn’t get enough and said; ‘All I can say is this is the start of your career in music, it’s like a song in the charts already. You’re young and talented’
You did it: The final act to perform was Lloyd Macey, 23, from South Wales. He roused the crowds with a theatrical performance of City of Stars from the movie La La Land
Power: Sharon said: ‘You have a classic Welsh voice. It amazes me all the musical genres you’ve done on this stage. It was a beautiful song choice’
Sharon said: ‘I can’t believe that every time I hear another song of yours, I fall in love with that one. It’s so great to see a young songwriter on the stage. I get goosebumps.’
The final act to perform was Lloyd Macey, 23, from South Wales. He roused the crowds with a theatrical performance of City of Stars from the movie La La Land
He performed Sam Smith’s Lay Me Down at his first audition.
Sharon said: ‘You have a classic Welsh voice. It amazes me all the musical genres you’ve done on this stage. It was a beautiful song choice.’
Gleeful: Louis couldn’t contain his glee as he larked about with Nicole and Sharon
Passion: Liam put on a polished performance of his latest single Bedroom Floor, widely rumoured to be about a rocky period in his relationship with Cheryl
Happy: Cheryl was seen smiling and applauding her man, before he jumped off stage and wrapped an arm around her
My man: A bronzed Cheryl was seen applauding her man as he finished his performance
Got you: Liam wrapped a loving arm around his missus as he jumped off-stage
Nicole said: ‘It’s effortless, it’s so smooth, you’re a super crooner. You did a beautiful job.’
Louis said: ‘That was a beautiful performance, you’re special, you’re going to go far in this competition, For me that was the performance of the entire night.’
Liam put on a polished performance of his latest single Bedroom Floor, widely rumoured to be about a rocky period in his relationship with Cheryl.
Cheryl was seen smiling and applauding her man, before he jumped off stage and wrapped an arm around her.
Showing his heartfelt dedication, Liam said; ‘This is my favourite song off the album.’
Simon missed the first X Factor live show after falling down the stairs and getting a concussion – sparking ‘panic’ among contestants.
Who needs Simon? The trio looked in great spirits as they got down to judging
Well done Mrs O: Sharon went shoeless as she celebrated all her acts sailing through
The judge’s sing-off will be completely scrapped, leaving the voters in complete control of which contestants leave the show.
Whilst judges previously had the final show over which of the two hopefuls with the lowest public votes would leave following a tense sing-off, the contestant with the lowest numbers will now leave immediately.
Sunday night’s show will see Nicole Scherzinger’s Overs category of Matt Linnen, Tracy Leanne Jefford and Kevin Davy White perform, with the former Pussycat Doll bringing back Talia Dean, 32, for her wild card.
She will be joined by an injured Simon Cowell, who picked Rak-Su, Sean Price and Conor Price and The Cutkelvins for his Groups, with the public bringing back Jack and Joel as the wild card.