End of the line for Rachel Hylton
Saturday, 22nd November 2008.
Dannii Minogue couldn't stop crying on the X Factor tonight, and it wasn't even because her act had been voted out.
Dannii's blubbing was the pinnacle of a turbulent week of tabloid rumours about in-fighting between the judges about their song choices for "Take That week".
Rumour has it that Louis Walsh was after "Rule the World" for JLS, thinking it would be ideal for their voices, although it was Dannii's turn to have pick of the songs and she’d already chosen it for Rachel.
But true or not, it all got on top of Ms Minogue, who was teary-eyed from the second the show began.
To be fair, there were no turkeys tonight - each act did justice to Take That's biggest hits and their versions all had elements that would stand the act in good stead in today's charts.
But as always, someone had to leave, and Dermot revealed it would be JLS and Rachel to battle for survival.
Now a three-time sing-off veteran, Rachel seemed relaxed as a worried-looking JLS told Dermot they would sing Stand By Me mixed with Sean Kingston's Beautiful Girl, "Because we need the whole country to stand by us," explained Marvin.
Louis gave them a sweet introduction too: "Four of the nicest people I've ever worked with in this competition - singing their hearts out, it's JLS".
Nervous wreck
And wow, what a performance. Rachel, on the other hand, descended into a nervous wreck in no time, then fluffed her words. But it was still a powerful performance.
Then it was decision time, with Louis and Danni voting for their acts, Cheryl and Simon had a tough choice to make.
Cheryl said: "I love what you did guys and Rachel I thought that was the best I've heard you sing in the competition - but I'm going to have to send home is Rachel".
That before Simon Cowell sighed: "This is tough. Rachel, I've been a fan of yours ever since you came on the show but it's been three times.
"JLS, I don't think you should have been in the bottom two. That was a brilliant song choice tonight.
"The act I am going to send home, and I really, really, really don't like saying this, is Rachel."
So six became five in the blink of an eye.
And Rachel was really gracious in defeat too, saying: "I'm fine, Someone has to go home."
Just three more live shows and then it's the live final! Who are you backing?
Check out Rachel's profile >
Photos: ITV
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