The finalists for 2018’s X Factor have been revealed after a tense sing-off between contestants on Sunday night, which had viewers on the edge of their seats.
Acacia and Aaliyah –the show’s last remaining group – were forced to battle it out against fan favourite, Scarlett Lee, in a bid to make it to the final three.
And while the pair gave it their all with their upbeat version of Stormzy’s Too Big For Your Boots, Scarlett – who is being mentored by Simon Cowell – ultimately came out on top with a powerful rendition of This Is Me.
After both had performed, judge Simon said: “If we’re gonna judge it on the sing-off, the final would not be the same without Scarlett.”
Meanwhile, Robbie told the singer: “You absolutely rocked that, but my girls are my girls”, before picking his own group, Acacia and Aaliyah.
Robbie’s wife and fellow judge Ayda Field also said she wanted both acts in the final but ultimately chose Scarlett before praising her for her “girl power”.
“This is like my worst nightmare. I want them both to be in the final. If I’m basing it on the sing-off I’ve got to throw the lifeline to Scarlett”, the stunner explained.
Ultimately though, the final decision went to former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson, who said: “It would be criminal if after this show Acacia and Aaliyah didn’t get a record deal – but on the sing-off the act I’m sending through Scarlett.”
And Scarlett – who only reached the Six Chair Challenge on last year’s show – was clearly ecstatic, as she burst into tears upon hearing the news.
Youngsters Acacia and Aaliyah took the news extremely graciously though, after revealing they had still been “getting up for school in the mornings” as well as rehearsing.
They told the audience: “It’s been such a blessing to be on this show.
“We want to thank everyone who has voted for us, we are so thankful.”
Robbie added: “I’m incredibly proud of them and these girls have got a huge future in the music industry.”
This means Scarlett Lee, Dalton Harris and Anthony Russell will battle it out to become the 2018 X Factor winner next weekend.
It also means that one of them is in the running to receive the coveted Christmas number One single.
The final will take place on Saturday and Sunday next week on ITV1.
And it’s set to be an exciting show, as they will be joined on the stage by hitmaker’s George Ezra and Ellie Goulding.
