Erin Seils|

Last weekend we saw the remaining 6 contestants from each category face the Judges Houses.

The Girls – Simon Cowell

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  • Emily Middlemas
  • Kayleigh Marie Morgan
  • Caitlyn Vanbeck
  • Olivia Garcia
  • Gifty Louise
  • Sohelia Clifford
  • Wildcard: Samantha Lavery (Picked by Louis)

The Boys – Nicole Scherzinger

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  • Christian Burrows
  • Niall Sexton
  • Freddy Parker
  • Nate Simpson
  • James Hughes
  • Matt Terry
  • Wildcard: Ryan Lawrie (Picked by Simon)

Over 25s  – Sharon Osbourne

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  • Samantha Atkinson
  • Relley C
  • Janet Grogan
  • Christopher Payton
  • Honey G (replaces Ivy Grace Paredes)
  • James Wilson
  • Wildcard: Saara Aalto (Picked by Nicole)

Groups – Louis Walsh

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  • The Brooks
  • Skarl3t
  • Ottavio and Bradley
  • 4 of Diamonds
  • 5AM
  • Tom and Laura
  • Wildcard: Yes Lad (Picked by Sharon)

Final 12

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Boys

  • Freddy Parker

He had to try hard to convince Nicole that he deserved to go through to Judges’ Houses, having to sing a second song after failing to do the hit Calvin Harris song “How Deep Is Your Love” justice. However, given a second chance, he really delivered with “Love is a Losing Game”, his original audition song.  He eventually gained a place in the final 12 after impressing Nicole and Calvin Harris with his version of Ellie Goulding’s “Let Me Love You”

  • Ryan Lawrie

After leaving the show in the Six Chair Challenge as part of an unnamed boyband that the show created, he was brought back as a wildcard, chosen by Simon for Nicole’s boys. After performing his cheery cover of “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall & Oates he earned his place in the live finals. Having already had the opportunity to open the Capital Summer Time Ball, performing for an audience of 80,000 people, earlier this year with his rendition of Shawn Mendes’ “Stiches”,  we should be expecting big things from him.

  • Matt Terry

He had to give his version of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” a second go after Nicole Scherzinger said that his first attempt was a little too high but got through to the next stage after giving it another go. He sailed through to the live shows after making Nicole and Calvin a little teary eyed with his cover of Michael Jackson’s “She’s Out of My Life”.

Overs

  • Saara Aalto

She was picked by Nicole as Sharon’s wildcard and sang a powerful version of Abba’s “The Winner Takes it All”. While Robbie Williams, who was helping Sharon to decide on her final three, said he “got a bit bored” while watching her performance, Sharon chose to put her through to the Live Shows.

  • Relley C

After entering the competition in 2013, making it to Judges’ Houses before being knocked out, she’s made it to the Live Shows this year after her cover of Kelly Clarkson’s “Up To The Mountain” “genuinely moved” Robbie Williams.

  • Honey G

The 35 year old aspiring rap artist was knocked out in the Six Chair Challenge but managed to get to Judges’ Houses after opponent Ivy Grace failed to get a visa, meaning she couldn’t travel to LA for this round. While many people found her to be more of a comedy act than a serious contestant, Sharon decided to put her through to the Live Shows after hearing her rendition of Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise”.

Girls

  • Samantha Lavery

After Louis Walsh chose Samantha as the wildcard for Simon’s Girls, she did make it through to the Live Shows but Simon wanted her to change her look before he heard her sing at Judges’ Houses. He said he’d like to see her “without so much make-up”, he wanted to “peel away the mask”. Although a little reluctant, she came back later with a more natural look and sang Ed Sheeran’s “Make It Rain” which got her a place in the final 12.

  • Gifty Louise

Gifty competed last year, only making it to Bootcamp before losing her voice and having to leave the show early. However, she has showed off her skills greatly throughout the show so far and has seemed to glide into the Live Shows fairly easily this year. She was praised by Simon Cowell, Mel B and Emma Bunton at Judges’ Houses after singing her version of The  Kungs vs Cookin on 3 Burners’ “This Girl”.

  • Emily Middlemas

Emily is another returning contestant. After she was told by Cheryl Cole in the 2014 Judges’ Houses that she was too young and needed time to find her sound she is back this year to give it another go. She sang “Ex’s and Oh’s” by Ellie King at this year’s Judges’ Houses and has secured a position in the final 12.

Groups

  • 5 After Midnight (5AM)

They performed “She’s Got That Vibe” by R Kelly at Louis’ House in Ibiza. While one of Louis’ helpers, Fleur East (previous X Factor Runner Up), noticed that they were a bit nervous, the other, Alesha Dickson, felt that the band had “huge potential” and so Louis put them through.

  • Bratavio (Ottavio and Bradley)

After a rather ridiculous argument over undercooked chicken they managed to salvage their friendship and audition together. They somehow made it through to Judges’ Houses where Louis, Fleur and Alesha agreed that they were definitely “fun” after their rendition of “Candy Man” by Christina Aguilera. So, while they might not have the best vocals in the singing competition, their energy and enthusiasm persuaded Louis to send them through to the Live Shows.

  • Brooks Way (The Brooks)

Like many others this year, the 17 year old twins are returning contestants. After making it to Judges’ Houses in 2014, the same year as Emily Middlemas, the twins were sent home by Louis and told to come back in a couple of years. The judges noticed major improvements and while Louis still had some issues with their vocals after their performance of Nelly’s “Just a Dream” he chose to put them through. “They look like pop stars”, he said.

Make sure to tune into STV tonight at 8pm to see the first round of Live Shows.

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