Rhydian set to be crowned X Factor king after closest rival Niki gets the boot

Former dinner lady Niki Evans narrowly missed out on a place in the final week, despite dishing up diva-like performances of Eva Cassidy's 'Songbird' and Whitney Houston's 'One Moment In Time'.

Peroxide-haired opera singer Rhydian will now join Scottish teenager Leon James and brother-and-sister duet Same Difference in the final after powering his way through Simon and Garfunkel's classic ballad 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', which Simon hailed as: "The best performance of the entire series."

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The 24-year-old, who has been compared to Marmite (referring to the product's famous slogan 'you either love it or hate it'), maintained his slow singing pace with his second song, Gerry And The Pacemakers' rousing Merseyside anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Leon James rubber-stamped his spot in the final with a Rat Pack-like rendition of Nat King Cole's classic 'The Very Thought Of You' and James Taylor's 'How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You'.

Sharon praised the teenager's stage presence but Simon burst Leon's bubble by suggesting he brought to mind an "indulgent night at a jazz club".

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Saccharine siblings Sarah and Sean Smith, otherwise known as Same Difference, transformed the studio into a big top, with circus dancers and fire eaters in tow, to belt out Diana Ross's disco anthem 'Chain Reaction' in typically chirpy style.

Louis swiftly put the boot in, saying: "There is a circus in town but Simon is the biggest clown if he thinks people will buy this act."

And the tears of a clown flowed after the pair's second song, S Club 7's 'Never Had A Dream Come True', a tune that once helped Sarah cope with school bullies.

The 18-year-old openly wept on stage after their duet and had to be comforted by her concerned brother.

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This emotion scene compelled an oddly compassionate Simon to say: "You meant every word of that song." Louis, however, remained unmoved, insisting: "That was sweet but there are better singers in this competition that you two."

Simon hit back: "There are youngsters at home who will love your enthusiasm and attitude. But for some reason Louis wants to shatter that."

The X Factor final takes place next Saturday, with the winner the hot favourite to be the Christmas number one.