And then there were three: Cher Lloyd's X Factor dream is over as she's sent packing

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Sent packing: Cher Lloyd was given the boot from the X Factor tonight in the first part of the weekend's final showdown, seen here being consoled by host Dermot O'Leary and mentor Cheryl Cole

- Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction through to tomorrow's grand finale

- Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Robbie Williams and will.i.am join final four on stage

- But Christina and Rihanna raise eyebrows with very racy pre-watershed solo performances

After coming in the bottom two twice during the contest, she knew her chances of winning were slim.

And tonight Cher Lloyd saw her X Factor dream come to an end as she was sent packing in the first part of the weekend's final showdown.

The 17-year-old hopeful from Malvern, Worcestershire, was the bookie's favourite to face the chop tonight and, predictably, received the least number of viewer votes, sealing her fate.

Battling for the X Factor crown: The judges watch on as the three remaining acts stood in a line on the stage, from left, Matt, Rebecca and One Direction

It now means Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and boyband One Direction will battle to win the show on tomorrow night's grand finale.

For what turned out to be her last stand, Cher performed two songs, kicking off with a mash-up of The Belle Stars Clapping Song and Missy Elliot Get Ur Freak On.

She then shared the stage with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, starting with Where Is The Love before duetting on the band's more recent hit I Got A Feelin'.

Good news: Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle react with relief after being given the news that they have made it to tomorrow's final showdown

We're through: One Direction hug mentor Simon Cowell as they are given the good news

Cher held it together and refrained from turning on the water works as she thanked everyone for their support over the course of the contest as she was given the news.

'Thank you to everybody that ever believed in me,' she said.

'My highlight is standing on this stage with will.i.am and I thank everyone who arranged that for me and to him.'

'Perfect collaboration': Cher took to the stage with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, performing I Gotta Feeling after kicking off solo with Where Is The Love

Cher has come in the bottom two twice and no act in the show's history has managed to clinch the X Factor crown after coming in this position during the contest.

However, despite her disappointment, the teenager is still on course to get a record contract.

Her mentor Cheryl Cole has described her as the 'future generation of music' while Simon Cowell is also a big fan.

Earlier in the week it was reported that the music mogul hasn't ruled out giving recording contracts to all the acts in the final four.

Take That: Robbie Williams joined One Direction on stage as they duetted on his song She's The One

The first act to be given the good news tonight that she was through to tomorrow's final was Rebecca Feguson, who reacted by saying: 'Oh my God,' and clasping her hand to her mouth.

One Direction were then put through, jumping in the air as they were given the all clear, shortly followed by Matt.

Cher shared the stage with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am for her duet piece.

Described by mentor Cheryl as the 'perfect collaboration', the pair performed I Gotta Feelin after Cher kicked off with Where Is The Love.

Double act: Rebecca was joined on stage by American superstar Christina Aguilera, but became so overwhelmed she lost her lyrics at one point during their rendition of Beautiful

The duo jumped around the stage, which was lit up with a laser display, as they belted out the hit song together.

'That was possibly the best thing I've ever done in my life,' Cher said afterwards.
One Direction performed their second song of the night - She's The One - with Robbie Williams.

The Take That star made his way on to stage midway through the track, before giving all the members a high-five.

'Perfect collaboration': Cher took to the stage with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am, performing I Gotta Feeling after kicking off solo with Where Is The Love

At the end the Robbie shouted: The lads, One Direction, phone in'
He said it felt 'really special' to perform with the guys 'at the start of their journey,' adding: 'I know exactly how it feels.'

He then joked with the lads, saying: 'Which one's the Robbie of the band.'

Rebecca Ferguson's star guest was Christina Aguilera, although she appeared to be overwhelmed by the superstar's onstage presence.

Going solo: Later on in the show Rihanna performed her new hit What's My Name, stripping down to a saucy bikini-inspired outfit

As Christina descended the staircase, Rebecca missed her cue and appeared a little shaky.

Afterwards she was equally lost for words, only managing to say: 'I'm made up' while a full-figured Christina commended Rebecca for being a 'unique talent'.

Later Christina performed the song Express from her new film Burlesque, which she is currently promoting across Europe, but raised temperatures as she cavorted around the stage in her lingerie and put on a provocative pre-watershed display with her army of scantily clad female dancers.

Matt Cardle's second song of the night was Rihanna's Unfaithful, where he was joined on stage by the diva herself.

Ready to be entertained: The X Factor judge emerge on to the stage, from left Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell

Dressed in their best: Cheryl looked stunning in an off-white dress with sequins while Dannii donned a deep red tiered number

After singing the first part solo, he was joined on stage by the hit RnB star as the stage was lit up in a blaze of flames.

They then took it in turns to sing a line each, with Rihanna wearing a full-length black dress with curly red hair as she performed some sultry dance moves up close next to an enamoured Matt.

Later she gave a solo rendition of her new song What's My Name, stripping down to a saucy bikini-inspired outfit.

Cher Lloyd got her swagger on, performing a mash-up of The Belle Stars Clapping Song and Missy Elliot Get Ur Freak On, complete with an army of backing dancers.

She's got swagger: Cher Lloyd performed a mash-up of The Belle Stars Clapping Song and Missy Elliot Get Ur Freak On

With the fans: Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills talks to Cher's former headteacher in her hometown of Malvern, Worcestershire

Cowell gave her high praise afterwards, telling her: 'Using one of Cheryl's expressions I'm going to say you smashed that.

'This is why I am happy we put you through. You are my favourite little brat with a heart of gold. My favourite performance of yours so far.'

Mentor Cheryl added: 'I saw something in you Cher the second you walked in that audition room. You are here in the final tonight no matter what controversy you've faced and I hope to see you smashing it again.'

Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills was getting mobbed by the crowds in Cher's hometown of Malvern in Worcestershire, where he spoke to the contestant's former headmaster and friends.

Heartthrobs: One Direction's first rendition was of Elton John's hit Your Song, seen here with host Dermot O'Leary

Mania: Corrie star Michelle Keegan was reporting live from One Direction star Louis Tomlinson's hometown of Doncaster in South Yorkshire

One Direction performed the Elton John hit Your Song, with fake snow falling at the end giving it a festive feel.

'I have thoroughly enjoyed you guys growing every week and I think you deserve to be standing on that stage tomorrow night,' Cheryl told them afterwards.

To deafening screams from the audience, Simon added: 'After hearing the first two performances tonight, Matt and Rebecca, my heart was sinking. They were so good.

'But you guys gave it a thousand per cent. I really hope people pick up their phone and vote for you.'

Corrie star Michelle Keegan was reporting live from band member Louis Tomlinson's hometown of Doncaster in South Yorkshire.

Emotional: Rebecca Ferguson performed Like A Star for her first offering of the night, which received huge cheers from the crowd and wowed the judges

However she appeared to get confused with her names, asking the crowd if they were proud of Liam Payne.

The outside broadcast ended with the actress getting lost from view amid the crowd.
Second to perform with her first offering of the night was Rebecca Ferguson with Like A Star by soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae.

The single mother of two, 24, received huge cheers from the audience afterwards and the judges were equally bowled over.

Heartfelt words: Judge Cheryl Cole became tearful as she told Rebecca: 'I respect you not just as a recording artist but as a woman'

Revving up the crowds: Fellow Liverpudlian and Cheryl's WAG pal Coleen Rooney was reporting live from crazy scenes in Rebecca's hometown of Liverpool

'You are an absolute beauty,' Dannii told her. 'This is the start of your confidence believing in yourself, you so deserve this.'

Cowell told her: 'You look absolutely beautiful tonight,' adding: 'Most importantly why I adore you is that you have one heck of recording voice and you are fantastic role model.'

Mentor Cheryl became tearful as she told Rebecca: I have so much respect for you not just as a recording artist but as a woman.'

Fellow Liverpudlian Coleen Rooney was reporting live from crazy scenes in Rebecca's hometown of Liverpool where she was revving up the crowd of supporters.

On form: Matt was the first of the final to perform, with a rendition of Dido's Here With Me where he played the guitar and was backed by a string orchestra

Matt Cardle was the first of the final four to perform, singing the Dido hit Here With Me. Beforehand video footage was shown of his emotional homecoming visit to Essex earlier in the week.

He was seen breaking down next to his tearful father, as mentor Dannii joined him in his parents' living room.

Still battling a sore throat, Cardle wowed with his efforts with Louis Walsh telling him: You are a very ordinary guy with a very extraordinary voice. You absolutely have to be in the final tomorrow night.'

Cowell added: 'You are still not feeling great but I have to tell you that was a fantastic song choice, right on the money.'

Mentor Dannii then chipped in: 'I just want to take this moment to say thank you for the hardwork you've put in over the last weeks. No one has worked harder.'

Former X Factor finalist and Queen of the Jungle Stacey Solomon was live with the crowds from Matt's hometown of Colchester.

Crazy scenes: Fans line the streets of Matt's hometown of Colchester in Essex where former X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon was presenting coverage - although she was not in shot during the entire outside broadcast

However the I'm A Celebrity winner was nowhere to be seen, with only her rambling voice being heard over manic scenes of cheering crowds.

The show kicked off with the final 16 contestants of this year's series taking to the stage, performing a group rendition of Eighties hit What A Feeling from the 1983 film Flashdance.

It included a rapping sequence from Cher Lloyd, as well as interludes from controversial contestants Wagner and Katie Waissel.

Earlier the four X Factor judges took their seats, ready to be entertained.

Cheryl Cole looked stunning in a floor length white dress while Danny Minogue played it sexy in a red fishtail gown.