X Factor: Simon Cowell's Jay James voted off in shock deadlock elimination against Stevi Ritchie
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X Factor viewers were left shocked after hopeful Jay James lost out to Stevi Ritchie in the sing off last night.
The Welsh singer – who found himself in the bottom two for the second consecutive week – failed to impress the public with his rendition of New York New York for Big Band Week on Saturday.
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Simon Cowell – who mentors both contestants – decided to save Jay after he performed Keane's Somewhere Only We Know in the sing off.
He said: “I really really like both of you. Jay you’re the better singer, Stevi you’re the better performer.
“I hate to say this, but I’m sending home Stevi.”
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Louis Walsh also voted to save Jay, while Mel B decided to save Stevi after he impressed her with his rendition of Queen’s Somebody to Love.
Cheryl – who only has Lauren Platt left in the competition – voted to save Stevi so the decision was thrown into Deadlock.
X Factor Finalists - who is left?
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Talking of his time on the show, Jay said: “It’s been absolutely incredible. The people who I’ve met during this time have been amazing. I just want to thank every single person for this experience.”
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Despite being booted off, mentor Simon Cowell promised him a future in the music industry. He said: “You’re going to have a career ahead of you, I promise you that.”
Bob Geldof made an appearance to introduce the new Band Aid 30 video for the remake of his 1984 hit Do They Know It’s Christmas?.
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Featuring performances from the likes of One Direction, Rita Ora, and Bono the ebola charity single is already the bookmakers favourite for Christmas number one.
Other guest appearances were 2009 X Factor runner-up Olly Murs who performed his new single All Wrapped Up, and former judge Nicole Scherzinger who sang Run.