One down! Lorna Simpson is first to leave The X Factor.... as Over-25 mentor Sharon Osbourne controversially abstains from voting
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With the controversial new flash vote coming into play for the first time it was Shelley Smith who drew the short straw on the first of The X Factor live shows.
The 36-year-old van driver failed to impress the general public with a powerful rendering of Heart power-ballad Alone, and having accrued the least amount of votes she was named first contestant of the series to sing for her survival.
Fellow Over-25 Lorna Simpson's unveiling as her sing-off rival on Sunday left mentor Sharon Osbourne with a difficult decision to make regarding who to save.
First off: Lorna Simpson if first to leave The X factor on Sunday evening
Big decision: Shelley Smith and Lorna Simpson go head to had on Sunday's live show
Both Lorna and Shelley took to the stage hand-in-hand - an act of solidarity that would serve them well.
Indeed, Lorna closed her eyes and nodded in recognition of Shelley's performance as she went first with a stunning rendition of Jennifer Hudson's One Night Only.
It was a remarkable performance, and the daunting hurdle that Lorna had to climb in order to beat her rival appeared to be evident on her face as she watched from the sidelines.
Stunning: Van driver Shelley impressed with a performance of Jennifer Hudson hit One Night Only
Pulling it out of the bag: Shelley belts out the song while Lorna Simpson watches from the sidelines with host Dermot O'Leary
But her turn would come, and she seized the opportunity with a rendition of Faith Hill ballad There You'll Be - a song previously covered by former X Factor winner Leona Lewis.
'Man, this is gonna be tough,' conceded Dermot, echoing the thoughts of the viewing public as the performance closed.
Sharon was first to vote, but would only offer a dismissive wave of the hand.
'I abstain,' she said bluntly, opting for the safe option previously favoured by other judges, amongst them Louis and Simon Cowell.
Next up: Lorna performed Faith Hill hit There You'll Be
Singing for survival: But Lorna would be first through The X Factor exit
Next up was Louis, who named Lorna after conceding it was a 'difficult decision.'
'Can I just say what a fantastic sing off that was,' added Gary. 'Shelley, if you had sung like that last night you wouldn't be here.'
Despite his praise, Gary opted to send Shelley home - meaning it was all down to Nicole,
'Shelley, there's something about you and I think there's more to see from you so the act I'm sending home is Lorna.'
After a warm embrace from Nicole Lorna admitted her favorite part of the competition was boot camp, because she never thought she'd make it that far.
Drama: Lorna learns that she will face fellow Over-25 Shelley Smith in the sing-off as tousle-haired Luke Friend goes through, much to the delight of mentor Louis Walsh
Delight: Nicole embraces Tamera Foster after the 16-year-old is told she will sing again in next week's show
Over the moon: Miss Dynamix are through, and mentor Gary Barlow is pleased
The night began with the first group song of the series, and French duo Daft Punk were well advised to look away as they gamely attempted a rendition of their summer anthem Get Lucky.
Pharrell Williams was nowhere in sight but, despite their inevitable nerves, the 12 acts managed to pull off a light, cheesy interpretation of the seventies inspired disco hit that evidently pleased those in attendance at London’s Fountain Studios.
With the obligatory group performance finished it was over to Ellie Goulding, who left little to the imagination after taking to the X Factor stage in a gold metallic dress from Julien Macdonald that only just protected her modesty while she worked her way through a live performance of Burn.
Taking the stage: The 12 acts take to the stage with a rendition of Daft Punk hit Get Lucky
Here we go: Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh take to the stage on Sunday evening
Incoming: The four judges make their arrival
Someone's happy: Gary was clearly pleased with something as he took his seat on Sunday evening
The stunning gown was all the more distinctive thanks to the two wide slashes that ran the length of her body, which was concealed beneath a flesh coloured leotard.
‘I think so many of the acts are incredible - I'm kind of rooting for a few,’ she told host Dermot O’Leary, who eagerly badgered her for a name.
'Is it Kingsland Road?' she offered. ‘I genuinely think they’re lovely.’
With Ellie's performance over it was time for veteran Cher to take to the stage with a cover of Miley Cyrus hit I Hope You Find It, and the veteran singer belied her age in a figure-hugging little black dress with silver embellishments.
Impressive: Ellie Goulding performs a live version of Burn on The X Factor
Revealing: The singer's distinctive metallic dress came with two wide body-length slashes
Burning: Ellie performs her number one single on Saturday night
'Just don't believe the word 'No,' she told Dermot when asked for the best piece of advice she could offer this year's contestants.
Lines had closed shortly before Cher's performance following an obligatory five minute warning from Dermot, and Kingland Road - still buzzing from Ellie support - were the first act to maker it through to next weeks show, closely followed by supermarket worker Abi Alton.
Sam Callahan was next - despite a shaky performance the previous evening - while Sam Bailey was fourth out of the hat having impressed with he version of Jennifer Rush hit The Power Of Love.
On form: Cher was the second musical guest to take to the stage on Sunday evening
Veteran: The legendary singer performs a version of Miley Cyrus hit I Hope You Find It
Miss Dynamix screamed after Dermot unveiled them as fifth, while Hannah Barrett could barely contain herself after being named sixth.
Scottish teenager Nicholas MacDonald came seventh, with Tamera Foster getting an embrace from Nicole Scherzinger after following close behind.
It was down to the wire, but Rough Copy came next - making it nine acts through.
Only one more act was certain of a place in next week's show, and it went to tousle-haired Luke Friend.
The X Factor continues next Saturday on ITV1.
Not playing: Sharon Osbourne controversially opted not to vote on Sunday night's show after two of her Over-25's sung against each other for survival
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2458172/Lorna-Simpson-leave-The-X-Factor---Over-25-mentor-Sharon-Osbourne-controversially-abstains-voting.html#ixzz2heEkqtXK
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