izzyhoey2: X Factor: District 3 voted off after sing-off with Union J

Sunday, November 11, 2012

X Factor: District 3 voted off after sing-off with Union J

PUBLISHED: 16:11 EST, 11 November 2012 | UPDATED: 16:26 EST, 11 November 2012

District 3 were voted off The X Factor on Sunday after going head-to-head with fellow boy band Union J.

Their mentor Louis Walsh refused to chose between his two acts, meaning it was up to his fellow judges to decide with a majority vote.

Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger both opted to save Union J, meaning Tulisa's would-be vote for District 3 would have been over-powered.

So long: District 3 are voted off The X Factor after receiving two votes from the judges

Battle of the boy bands: District 3 were voted off after going head-to-head with Union J

Unusually, host Dermot O'Leary came to Louis first after the two groups had performed.

However, Louis said: 'I'm not voting. I'm not sending any of these acts home. I'm not sending any of them home.'

Gary said: 'When I saw these two acts would be in the bottom two, I thought it would be simple. However, District 3, that was one of your worst vocal performances to date.

Torn: Their mentor Louis Walsh refused to chose between his two acts

'Although there was less harmony (Union J), I felt you want it that bit more.'

Nicole was full of praise for the trio, but saved Union J because of their performance in the sing-off.

She said: 'For you having a bad day of harmonies is other people having a good day with their harmonies.

'Boys you have my heart. The group that I think is more mature group and little bit more ready is Union J so I'm so sorry I'm sending home is District 3.'

Gracious: The trio kept it together as they discussed their exit with Dermot

Although Tulisa's decision wouldn't have saved District 3, she said: 'I think there performances were amazing in different ways. I have a deep connection with District 3, so I would have saved District 3.'

District 3 were the first to perform in the sing-off with Bruno Mars's ballad Just The Way You Are, while Union J performed Adele's Set Fire To The Rain.

The trio remained stoic as they said goodbye to the show: 'It's the most gutting feeling in the world. But I want to say a massive thank you o everyone. Thanks you tro the judges.'

Over-the-top: Rylan Clark put on a typically flamboyant reaction as he found out he had survived another week

Louis lamented: 'I don't think they got enough votes. Maybe it was having two boy bands. They're brilliant. They're a dream to work with.

Meanwhile, Nicole was thrilled to find all three of her remaining boys surviving another week.

One of the bookies favourites James Arthur was the first to find out he had survived until next week.

Aaaaarrrgh! Rylan jumped on his friend James Arthur, who was also through to next week

The second to discover his fate was Rylan Clark, who jumped up and down in shock after he found out he had survived another week, before he was joined by Jahmene Douglas.

Tulisa was equally thrilled when popular Ella Henderson - her own remaining girl - survived another week.

However, there were boos when Christopher Maloney was the last to find out he had survived until next week, at the expense of one of the boy bands.

Waiting game: Tulisa and Ella Henderson celebrate after they find out she's through to next week (left), while Gary Barlow's act Christopher Maloney was met by some boos when he survived another week