Lauren Platt misses out on a place in live final as judges choose Andrea Faustini to go up against Ben Haenow and Fleur East for X Factor crown
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has missed out on taking one of her acts through to The X Factor final after Lauren Platt was eliminated from the series.
Four contestants - Lauren, Andrea Faustini, Ben Haenow and Fleur East - returned to the stage on Sunday night to discover whether they had been voted through to the final three.
It emerged that both of Simon Cowell's acts Ben and Fleur had sailed through the semi-finals following their double performances on Saturday.
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Fallen at final hurdle: Lauren Platt has missed out on The X Factor final after being eliminated on Sunday's semi-final results show
That left Cheryl's competitor Lauren up against Mel B's Italian powerhouse Andrea in a sing-off.
Lauren, 17, was first up to perform with a moving rendition of Faith Hill's There You'll Be.
The song was an especially poignant choice for Cheryl to give her last act standing - she was famously moved to tears when Amy Connolly sang it in her audition in 2008.
Then Andrea stepped on-stage and belted out Who You Are by Jessie J.
Big moment: Judges Mel, Simon and Cheryl returned to the stage with their remaining acts
Red hot: Fleur East was the first contestant to be told she had made it through to the final three on the public vote
Emotional: The feisty singer, who wowed the judges with her performances the night before, broke down in tears as she hugged mentor Simon
Double threat: Simon scored another success as his second act Ben Haenow also made the cut
Going through together: Fleur was also thrilled to find out that her fellow Over-25s contender Ben was joining her in the final
It was then up to the judges to make the final decision about their fate.
Standing by her act, Cheryl said: 'I'm going to stick with my heart and soul, Lauren.'
While Mel obviously remained at her last man standing's side, adding: 'Can I just say Lauren, you peaked for me tonight - that was one of your best vocals to date.
'But my guy Andrea, you've took it to church yet again.'
Louis Walsh wavered for a few moments before declaring: 'It's really difficult as they're both really good - but I'm sending home Lauren.
Nervous: Lauren looked worried after it became apparent that she would have to sing for her place in the final
It's OK: Mel looked longingly at her beloved act after hearing he didn't make the top two
Pep talk: Mel B grabbed the Italian singer's face to give him some encouraging words before the sing-off
Supportive: Cheryl offered Andrea a hug despite him being her act's rival
Girl power: Mel also comforted Cheryl and Lauren as she faced her last shot on the show
Last change: Lauren performed an emotional rendition of Faith Hill's There You'll Be
Meaningful: The song was especially poignant for Cheryl, who memorably broke down during her first year on the show when Amy Connolly tackled the ballad in her audition
Giving it his all: Andrea was next on stage in the sing-off
Big number: The 20-year-old sang a rendition of Jessie J's Who You Are
The final decision was in Simon Cowell's hands: 'Lauren you've had two good sing offs in a row.
'Andrea there were parts of the song that you oversinging, but you cant argue with your passion.
'I'm going to go with the person who deserves a place in the final - I'm going to send home Lauren.'
Cheryl was visibly riled at her fellow judges' decision, and quickly got out of her seat to be by her charge's side.
Heartfelt: Cheryl heaped praise on Andrea's performance but stood by her act Lauren when it came to the judges' final decisions
My guy: Mel B repaid the favour and insisted Lauren had 'peaked' in the sing-off, but still decided to send her home to keep Andrea in the contest
Final say: Louis and Simon had the last call - with both sending Lauren home
Gutted: The 17-year-old looked heartbroken to be going home but remained composed as she thanked viewers and her mentor Cheryl
Idol: Lauren said: 'I want to say thank you to the most incredible woman I've ever met in my life for sticking with me and giving me this opportunity'
Bowing down: Cheryl pretended to worship her protegee as she prepared to leave the show for good
The teenager was surprisingly composed and took the opportunity to thank viewers for keeping her in the contest, and her mentor for picking her.
She said: 'I want to say thank you to the most incredible woman I've ever met in my life for sticking with me and giving me this opportunity.'
Returning to the stage, the three finalists Ben, Fleur and Andrea were thrilled.
Fleur beamed: 'I just can't believe this. This is literally a dream come true. I'm on top of the world.'
An equally ecstatic Ben added: 'I can't believe it. This has made my life.'
While a shaken Andrea Faustini insisted: 'I don't know what to say, I'm just so glad.'
The winner of the 2014 series will be chosen next weekend.
Final farewell: Lauren grabbed Andrea for an embrace as he joined his fellow finalists Fleur and Ben
Finalists: Fleur, Ben and Andrea came back out to huge cheers from the crowd
Overwhelmed: The trio were overawed by the response from the audience
On the road: In a new twist for the show, the finalists hopped on board specially tailored tour buses to rally up support ahead of next weekend's finale
In the bag? Fleur is now bookies' favourite to take this year's X Factor crown
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2864670/Lauren-Platt-misses-place-live-final-judges-choose-Andrea-Faustini-against-Ben-Haenow-Fleur-East-X-Factor-crown.html#ixzz3LG0ZA5rp
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