Rita Ora was reduced to tears in the third episode of The X Factor when she had to cast the deciding vote.
The 24-year-old singer, one of the latest additions to the judging panel of the ITV singing competition, had to cast her vote on whether to send 24-year-old dental nurse Shianne Phillips through to the bootcamp stage or end her journey on the show.
Shianne’s performance of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing split the opinions of judges Rita, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nick Grimshaw, and left her aspiring career hanging in the balance.
As Rita wiped tears from her eyes, Simon comforted her and offered her a hug.
Viewers will have to wait and see what Rita decides in the latest instalment.
Meanwhile, Olly Murs came face-to-face with his doppelganger Jamie Benkert, a health care assistant from Southend.
The 24-year-old hopeful initially wanted to impress the judges with his rendition of an Olly-inspired track titled Dance All Night, to which Cheryl said: “Is that by Olly?”
Simon remarked: “Listen Jamie, it’s like you’ve been watching Olly for years. Have you ever watched a movie called Single White Female? Olly, you’d better watch it tonight and lock all your doors.”
Other acts hoping to make the grade include fire-eating duo Flaxen – Jordan Rhodes and Steph Dobson – who perform Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s song We Found Love, Newcastle singer Zen Blythe and Isle of Man native Simon Lynch, who takes on Beyonce’s If I Were A Boy.
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