Start spreadin' the news! Tamera Foster makes a rousing comeback as The X Factor swings into action on Big Band Night
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The comments may well have been mixed, but The X Factor's youngest contestant did her best to knock it out of the park on another night of high drama for this year's hopefuls.
Indeed, as Big Band Night got into full swing, 16-year-old Tamera Foster took to the stage with a rendition of Cry Me A River, the much covered classic originally sung by Julia London.
The young singer was turning in her latest performance after admitting her appearance in eeh bottom two had knocked her confidence.
Low on confidence: Tamera Foster was hoping to impress the judges after finding herself in the bottom two following Disco Night
Cry me a river: Tamera performed a classic on Saturday night's swing themed X Factor
Swing when you're winning: The 16-year-oldd performed with a live band on Saturday's show
Hopeful: Tamera aimed to win over the general public following last week's disappointment
And the verdict is... Tamera takes in the judges comments following her performance of Cry Me A River
'You've got a God given voice,' said Sharon. 'You've only go one voice, use it.'
'That performance was absolutely mesmerising, added Sharon. 'I'm just so grateful that the judges saved you last week.'
Last week's X Factor kicked off with a difference thanks to Nile Rodgers and Chic, who opened the show with a medley of hits from their back catalog.
But with Disco Night putting a permanent speed bump on east Londoners Kingsland Road, the remaining eight acts were charged with a daunting task in emulating some of the all time greats on Big Band Night.
First up was Abi Alton, and the pressure was on for the supermarket worker to build on last week's comeback performance with a rendition of Frank Sinatra's That's Life.
Here we go: Judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh take to the stage on Saturday evening
The teenager made a bold decision in opting to perform without her trusty piano - a move that backfired during previous weeks.
Indeed, Abi's performance, dedicated to her musician father, divided the judging panel - with Louis first to admit he wasn't convinced by her voice on the night.
'If I'm really honest it didn't go far for me,' said Louis. 'It's like you got swamped by the big band.'
Let battle commence: The judges drink in the applause ahead of Big Band Night on The X Factor
Stunning: Nicole Scherzinger stood out in a sweeping yellow lemon dress on Saturday evening
It's that time again: Host Dermot O'Leary takes to the stage for his obligatory 'Dermot dance'
'I expect more sassiness from you,' added Sharon. 'More sassiness from you but you're on the right road.'
Sam Bailey was next, and she was in a buoyant mood having received a surprise visit from Michael Bolton during the week.
Performing swing staple New York, New York - another Sinatra hit - Sam turned in a powerful rendition that had the audience at Wembley's Fountain Studios cheering as she reached for the high notes.
That's life: Abi Alton performed a version of the classic swing staple from Frank Sinatra
Swinging: The judges take in Abi's performance on Saturday night
First up: Abi Alton opened the show with a performance that she dedicated to her musician father
Mixed fortunes: Abi Alton performs (L) and taking in some mixed comments from the judges (R)
'Sam, this is ridiculous. Somehow week after week your vocal range gets bigger and bigger,' raved Gary. 'Unbelievable Sam,. I'm running out of good things to say about you'
'You came out with the biggest boom!' agreed Nicole. 'We've heard that song performed a million times but THAT is how it's sung!'
Scottish teenager Nicholas McDonald scrubbed up well as he took to the stage with slicked her and a smart suit for a performance of Dream A Little Dream Of Me, originally recorded by Ozzie Nelson in 1931.
Start spreading the news: Sam Bailey came next with New York, New York
New York or bust: The prison officer turned in a powerful performance on Saturday night
Powerful: Sam showed off her impressive vocal range on Saturday night
High praise: Nicole was impressed with Sam Bailey's rendition of New York, New York on Saturday night
Unanimous: All four judges were full of praise for Sam Bailey
The hair, stunning!' said Sharon. 'You like like a little schoolboy.'
'You're quite the little crooner tonight,' added Nicole. 'You keep singing with that tone, that effortlessness, you're going to have some girls dreaming a little dream of you tonight.'
Tousle haired Luke Friend hoped to win the judges over with a smooth rendering of Van Morrison's Moondance, but admitted he was nervous about performing with a live band for the first time.
He scrubs up well: Nicholas McDonald was suited and booted for his performance on Swing Night
Looking good: Nicholas looks smart in a black two-piece suit during a performance that won him more positive responses from the judging panel
We're dreaming: Nicholas took to the stage with a version of Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Looking good: Dermot is impressed with the Scottish teenager's appearance on Saturday night
Impressed: Gary Barlow heaps praise on Nicholas, while Nicole Scherzinger looks smitten
With his long hair tied back, the teenager turned in a performance that won a lukewarm response from the judging panel.
'Week on week you've been getting better and better but this style didn't suit you at all,' moaned Gary. 'You were ahead of the beat right throughout the performance, it was very uncomfortable to listen to.'
'I have to agree with Gaz,' added Nicole. 'What I would have done for you this week, I would have picked up the tempo. I felt you were ahead of the beat.'
My turn: Tousle-haired Luke Friend performs on Saturday night
Time for a moondance: But Luke's performance of Van Morrison classic won him a lukewarm response from judge Nicole Scherzinger
Centre stage: Luke enjoys himself onstage, but his performance got a mixed response
Giving it his all: The teenager works his way through Van Morrison's Moondance on Saturday night
Show favourite Hannah Barrett had been on vocal rest all week, but she returned on Saturday with a version of James Brown hit It's A Man's, Man's World.
The Londoner admitted the pressure was on because James Brown was one of her late father's favourite singer's,
'You sang your heart out, you sing your heart out, you've probably got the best voice in the competition,' said Louis. 'I'm not sure if James Brown was really swing though.'
It's a man's, man's world: Hannah Barrett takes to the stage on Saturday evening's X Factor
Rousing: Hannah Turned in another accomplished performance
Doing him proud: Hannah admitted she was nervous about performing a James Brown track because the singer was one of her late father's favourites
Ecstatic: The singer was in high spirits during her chat with Dermot
'I do absolutely love your voice,' raved Gary. 'There's a confidence up there. It's not just a visual one, it's an audible one.'
'You came out with steel in your eyes,' added Nicole.
Rough Copy were riding on a wave of consistently positive comments, and they kept on coming on Swing Night thanks to their performance of Ray Charles' Hit The Road Jack.
Tearing it up: Rough Copy take to the stage
Smooth: The trio turned in another assured performance on Saturday night
Lively: Rough Copy perform behind the judges on Saturday evening
Over the moon: The boys are delighted following another energetic performance
'If y'all ain't in the final three of this show..' said Nicole. 'I love how you incorporated the audience, how you incorporated the band.'
'You have to make the final,' agreed Louis.
'Every week you completely deliver, thanks you so much, that was a great performance,' said mentor Gary.
Hopeful: Sam Callahan hoped to win the judges over on Saturday night
Self-confessed swing fan Sam Callahan took to the stage with Ain't That A Kick In The Head by Sammy Davis Jr, and the title seemed apt given the mauling he's taken from Gary over recent weeks.
‘You look like you enjoyed it up there, well done,’ the Take That front-man murmured.
'Why no comment? Asked a bemused Dermot.
‘I have to respect you for getting up there,' he said. 'Look at the amazing singers we’ve had tonight, I respect you for getting up there.'
The results show will air on Sunday, ITV1.
Quite a show: But Sam's performance would win him mixed responses from the judges on Saturday evening
Kick in the head: Sam works his way through a colourful performance of the Sammy Davis Jr classic on Saturday night
Centre stage: Sam works his way through another performance
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