Liverpool duo survive opening public vote

Scouse pair Marcus and Craig received enough votes to advance to next week's live show  Pictures © ITV

Marcus Collins and Craig Colton sailed through the first public vote of the series to make it through to next week’s live finals of the X Factor competition.

The two Scouse singers bowled over 13million viewers this week by singing two huge power ballads in ‘love week’ of the singing talent show.

Craig gave a show-stopping version of Beyonce’s ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ and was met by rapturous comments once again from the judges about his performance.

Louis Walsh praised Craig: “You did it last week,
you did it this week. Fantastic performance.” N-Dubz
star Tulisa agreed: “I was a bit worried about the
song choice in rehearsal but I agree, amazing job.”

Take That legend and mentor Gary Barlow raved: “I
thought you absolutely nailed it, the song choice was
perfect. You’ve left the other judges wondering why
they are even here.”

The 22-year-old from Kirkby, who took to the stage
wearing a leather jacket and an eye-catching pair of
red trousers, said: “I was very nervous with the song
choice, but I’m so happy it went well. I was absolutely
terrified I might be in the bottom two, I even vomited
twice back stage.”

Marcus, who sang the Rihanna classic “Russian
Roulette”, was not met with quite the positive reviews
that Craig received.

Destiny’s Child diva Kelly Rowland said: “I would
have liked to have seen more emotion from you, and
for you to get more lost in the song.”

Tulisa and Louis once again agreed on their comments, both saying that the Rihanna ballad was the wrong song choice for Marcus. Mentor Gary disagreed and reassured him: “I don’t know what the rest of them are on about, you were fantastic.”

The 23-year-old hairdresser from Waterloo said after the performance: “I really hope the public like it, I really hope they are behind me with this one. I’m worried I might be going home after the judges’ comments.”

Craig and Marcus had no need to be nervous, though, as they both sailed straight through to next week’s live finals. The relief on both their faces was easy to see as X Factor host Dermot O’Leary called their names to announce that they had made it through on Sunday’s live results show.

Superstar Katy Perry, who was performing her new single 'The One That Got Away' on the show, exclaimed: “Liverpool! I love the North!” after O’Leary asked her about her upcoming show at the Echo Arena on Tuesday.

Gary Barlow jokingly recommended that Katy has a night out at legendary Liverpool nightclub, The Grafton while she is in town, but it closed as a dance venue in 2008 then reopened as a comedy club, the Olympia Laughter Lounge.

Tulisa become the first judge to lose an act in the competition via public vote. Nu Vibe and Frankie Cocozza were left in the bottom two and had to sing again to try and earn their place in next week’s live show.

As Louis, Gary and Kelly all backed Frankie after he belted out a Daniel Merriweather hit, Nu Vibe became the latest act to say their goodbyes.

© ITV

X FACTOR 2011 COVERAGE
The Estrelles talk to JMU Journalism >>
James Michael heads for X Factor exit >>
Liverpool lads make live finals >>
Craig wows new X Factor judges >>
Hairdresser Marcus makes Bootcamp stage >>
Liverpool acts through to judges' houses >>