Simon Cowell is left with NO X Factor acts as judges send home Anton Stephans in favour of final boy Che Chesterman
It was a battle of the boys on Sunday night's The X Factor.
Anton Stephans and Che Chesterman were forced to sing for their survival after landing in the final two yet Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's decision to save Che meant Anton was sent home.
The decision meant the show's boss Simon Cowell, who mentored Anton, was left with no acts from his 'Overs' category.
Scroll down for video
So long! Anton Stephans and Che Chesterman were forced to sing for their survival after landing in the final two yet Cheryl Fernandez-Versini opted to keep Che meaning Anton went home
Simon and Nick were both faced with the prospect of losing both their final acts, yet due to a judge's three-to-one majority vote in favour of Che, the music mogul sadly had to say farewell to Anton.
Che kicked off the sing-off as he belted out a soulful rendition of Alicia Keys' 2003 hit If I Ain't Got You which was met with a thunderous response from the audience.
Anton gave a dramatic performance as he sang Bonnie Ratt's hit track I Can't Make You Love Me.
He's safe! Simon Cowell, who mentored Anton, was left with no acts at the end of the show meaning fellow judge Nick Grimshaw was redeemed from losing an act
Staying in: Che chatted to Caroline and Olly after discovering he was safe in the competition
As the decision turned to the judges, the whole panel looked distressed as they were faced with their tough choice.
Nick, who had a disagreement with Anton the night before, seemed particularly nervous after losing another act, the show's resident bad boy Mason Noise on Saturday night's episode in a surprise flash eviction - making for a dramatic evening for the Radio 1 DJ.
He came to an understandable conclusion when he said: 'Anton, I thought you sang that really well but obviously Che's my boy so I have to send you home.'
Next up was Simon, who predictably saved his own act, who said: 'Well you know who I'm keeping and I feel passionately about this because Anton you've taken a lot of stick... I'm saving you because as much as I like you Che, I've become good friends with Anton.'
Tough choices: As the decision turned to the judges, the whole panel looked distressed as they were faced with their tough decision
Farewell: Nick gave an understandable conclusion as he said: 'Anton I thought you sang that really well but obviously Che's my boy so I have to send you home.'
Tough choice: Rita Ora was then faced with the difficult decision between the two crooners yet she opted to back her pal Nick's act
Rita Ora was then faced with the difficult decision between the two crooners yet she opted to back her pal Nick's act.
She said: Looking at both their journeys, Anton I think you deserve to be where you are today but for me there's no comparison so I'm sorry, I'm saving Che.'
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was apologetic, yet she also opted to save Che - not before she insisted none of the judge's, often controversial, decisions were personal.
She urged Anton to understand her predicament as she said: 'When we say things as judges its not personal... I have fallen in love with both of these acts over the last few weeks but if I base this on Anton going well, then my hearts with Che and I'm sorry Anton I'm saving Che.'
Taking it well: Anton humbly took his rejection and told hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs: 'I just want to thank everybody'
Forgive and forget: Anton then referenced his argument with Nick, which saw the DJ spar with both the hopeful and his mentor Simon in a tense moment on Saturday's show
Anton humbly took his rejection and told hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs: 'I just want to thank everybody. Thank you ladies you have been incredible, Thank you Nick and of course thank you to my mentor and can I thank all the people behind the scenes. See you guys soon.
Anton then referenced his argument with Nick, which saw the DJ spar with both the hopeful and his mentor Simon in a tense moment on Saturday's show.
The Radio 1 DJ locked heads with the co-judge and wannabe pop star after he dubbed his heartfelt rendition of One Sweet Day as 'cold'.
Despite their tensions the previous evening, Anton ensured there was no bad blood as he told Nick that all their problems were forgotten.
Relieved: Rita Ora was then faced with the difficult decision between the two crooners yet she backed her pal Nick's act
They're through! Cheryl was also overjoyed to discover she was safe with both of her groups, Reggie N Bollie and 4th Impact (pictured) making it through to the next round
Through! Yet another of Cheryl's groups were through much to her relief
Before the final decision was unearthed, Rita was thrilled to discover that both her girls Lauren Murray and Louisa Johnson had made it through to next week's show.
Cheryl was also overjoyed when she found out she was safe with both of her groups, Reggie N Bollie and 4th Impact making it through to the next round.
The show kicked off with the contestants performed a rousing rendition of We Found Love by Rihanna as they awaited their fate.
Relieved to say the least! Before the final decision was unearthed, Rita was thrilled to discover that both her girls Lauren Murray and Louisa Johnson had made it through to next week's show
Celebrating: Rita and Lauren could hardly contain themselves when they heard the news
Touching: Former The Wanted star Nathan Sykes played the piano as he belted out a stunning performance of his new hit Over And Over Again
Cleavage wars! Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Rita Ora once again pulled it out of the sartorial bag as they stepped on stage in sensational ensembles on Sunday night's episode of the ITV show
Cheryl and Rita once again pulled it out of the sartorial bag as they stepped on stage in sensational ensembles on the episode.
The 32-year-old former Girls Aloud star sported an extremely plunging black mini dress while the Hot Right Now hitmaker, 24, matched her in the cleavage stakes in a deep V-neck white jumpsuit.
Cheryl rocked a plunging black mini dress with a glimmering waistband and necklace detail which showed off her trim frame while channeling a futuristic vibe.
Rita sported a white lace jumpsuit which showed off mounds of cleavage due to the extremely plunging V-neckline which matched her pretty pearl necklace.
Chic: Cheryl rocked a plunging black mini dress with a glimmering waistband and necklace detail which showed off her trim frame while channeling a futuristic vibe
All white on the night: Rita sported a white lace jumpsuit which showed off mounds of cleavage due to the extremely plunging V-neckline which matched her pretty pearl necklace
Former The Wanted star Nathan Sykes played the piano as he belted out a stunning performance of his new hit Over And Over Again.
He looked handsome in a black and white shirt as he tickled the ivories on a glimmering, light-up piano.
The hunky pop star said: '[My favourite is] Louisa... she is insane. Her vocals last night! She needs to calm down a bit.'
Hosting to singing: Olly returned to the stage after six years, since he found fame on the show in 2009
Olly returned to the stage after six years, since he found fame on the show in 2009.
For his performance he sported a skin tight black T-shirt with wide legged white trousers, which achieved a 1980s style looks.
His rendition was made super raunchy as he was surrounded by a bevvy of dancing beauties sporting just blue swimming costumes.
Cheeky: Olly rendition was made super raunchy as he was surrounded by a bevvy of dancing beauties sporting just blue swimming costumes
Olly cheekily said: 'I chose the outfits... with Simon of course!'
He then poked fun at his widely-discussed mistake last week which saw him accidentally tell Monica Michael's she was going home before the official announcement.
He said: 'I don't get nervous [performing]... I get nervous presenting. That's why I make mistakes!!' to which the audience cooed in comfort.
Kiss the girl! After he had a chat with Caroline he repeatedly kissed her on the cheek before they lovingly gazed into each other eyes as if his kisses would progress to the lips
Nearly! At this seemingly dramatic moment she exclaimed: 'No!' as it looked as though they were about to embrace
After he had a chat with Caroline he repeatedly kissed her on the cheek before they lovingly gazed into each other eyes as if his kisses would progress to the lips.
At this seemingly dramatic moment she exclaimed: 'No!' as it looked as though they were about to embrace.
The couple's allegedly platonic relationship has been the subject of much public scrutiny as many speculated that they could be more than friends.
Sexy look: For his performance he sported a skin tight black T-shirt with wide legged white trousers, which achieved a 1980s style looks
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3329598/Simon-Cowell-left-NO-X-Factor-acts-judges-send-home-Anton-Stephans.html#ixzz3sGu2KyuV
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook