The X
Factor's Ben Haenow let his feelings get the better of him on Saturday
evening following a moving rendition of much covered Leonard Cohen track
Hallelujah.
The
popular singer was closing the show with the track, his second
performance of the night, and he was given an encouraging round of
applause as it came to an end - prompting him to break down with an
uncharacteristic display of emotion.
'I
think you know what I'm gonna say,' offered a lukewarm Mel as the song
drew to a close. 'That song didn't do you any favours but I want
to praise you for your journey and where you've come from but I'm going
to forget that performance.'
All too much: Ben Haenow let his emotions get the better of him as Saturday night's X Factor semi-final drew to a close
'I
am going to remember that performance,' disagreed Simon. 'You're voice
broke in places because you're emotional... you've earned your place in
this final.'
Saturday
evening's semi-final kicked off in predictably festive style with
affable host Dermot O'Leary surrounded by dancers dressed in skimpy
Santa costumes for another dubiously choreographed opening routine.
But
the evening took a serious turn as show favourite Fleur East took to
the stage at Wembley's Fountain Studios with a stunning version of
Mariah Carey's yuletide hit All I Want For Christmas Is You.
Emotional: Ben broke down after performing much loved Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah
A steady hand: Host Dermot O'Leary was on hand to comfort an emotional Ben
Popular: Ben is one of the hot favourite's to claim The X Factor crown next Sunday
The
Londoner sported a bold red dress with breast bow detail that, one
assumes, was employed to present the first of Simon Cowell's two
remaining acts as a gift - and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini seemed to agree.
'I'm sure lots of people would want you for Christmas dressed like that,' she commented as the performance came to an end.
'You
sang great, but I thought you would have made a little bit of an
attempt to make it cooler,' fellow judge Mel B offered, to cries of
disagreement from Louis Walsh and Cowell.
First up: Fleur East took to The X Factor stage with a version of Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You
Popular: The singer's festive performance won encouraging responses from the judging panel on Saturday evening
After you: Sultry Fleur was accompanied by a troupe of hunky dancers for her first performance of the night
Next
up came teenager Lauren Platt, who admitted she was determined to fight
for her place after finding herself in the bottom two on Sunday
evening's live results show.
'I need to make sure I go out there and absolutely nail it,' she said.
Performing
East 17 hit Stay Another Day, the young singer won rapturous applause
from the studio audience - and mixed responses from the judges.
Next up: Teenager Lauren Platt performed a version of East 17 hit Stay Another Day
Rousing: But the performance won Lauren mixed responses from judges Cheryl, Mel, Louis and Simon
Sing another day: Lauren was
determined to impress after finding herself in the bottom two during
last Sunday's live results show
'I liked you, I didn't like the song,' said a blunt Louis.
'I
think last week did affect you, I think you are quite nervous tonight.
It was a good performance but not a great performance,' added Cowell.
Predictably, mentor Cheryl disagreed. 'That actually gave me goosebumps Lauren, I'm incredibly proud of you' she said.
Critical: 'I think last week did
affect you, I think you are quite nervous tonight. It was a good
performance but not a great performance,' Cowell told the teenager
Plenty to say: Judges Louis Walsh, Mel
B, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell were not short of
opinions on Saturday evening
Banter: With Christmas fast approaching the mood was light hearted at Wembley's Fountain Studios
Conversely,
Croydon native Ben Haenow won enthusiastic reviews for his rendition of
much covered festive standard Please Come Home For Christmas.
'A brilliant Christmas song.,' raved Louis. 'This is a talent show Ben, and you've got the talent.'
'Boy did you just get that right!' cooed Mel. 'You sang it like a rock star, and that's you!'
Hey now! Croydon native Ben came next with his own interpretation of festive standard Please Come Home For Christmas
Masterful: The performance won Ben another round of positive critiques on Saturday evening's show
In good company: The singer was joined by a group of backing singers for his rendition of the Christmas classic
'I'm so proud of you,' added mentor Simon, after comparing him to Olly Murs.
'Italian
Stallion' Andrea Faustini came next with a well performed version of
Kirk Franklin's The Night That Christ Was Born that had mentor Mel on
her feet.
'This was so perfect. Everything you did tonight was spot on,' she said. 'And you voice yet again touched me.'
Italian stallion: Andreas Faustini performed a version of Kirk Franklin's The Night That Christ Was Born
Back by
popular demand: Andreas has been one of the show's few consistent
performers - and he didn't disappoint on Saturday evening
Rapturous: It was another full house of encouraging comments for the singer following his first performance of the night
Back for more: Lauren Platt returned to the stage with her second performance, a version of One Direction hit Story Of My Life
Lukewarm: The rendition prompted Cowell to comment that she 'holds a lot a back but it's good to let go occasionally'
'There
has not been a week you haven't sang fantastically,' offered a stunned
Cheryl. 'I'm running out of words to express what an amazing vocalist
you are.'
Performing
her second song of the night, Lauren scored lukewarm responses for her
version of One Direction hit Story Of My Life.
'I'm still waiting for that breakout where you let loose,' grumbled Mel.
Raunchy: Fluer stunnded with her version of Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk
You go girl: The singer was on fire as she took to the stage with her backing dancers
Hands in the air: The singer's latest
performance prompted Simo n to tell her 'This is the moment you turned
from a contestant into a star... that is in the top three best
performances I have seen'
'It was way way better than your first song, added Simon. 'You hold a lot a back but it's good to let go occasionally.'
Despite
the night's festive theme Christmas took to the back-burner as Fluer
heated things up with a racy version of Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk.
'Amazing, absolutely amazing!' raved an ecstatic Louis. 'Everybody vote Fluer!'
Me again: Andreas returned with a version of MIley Cyrus hit Wrecking Ball
Hitting the high notes: The Italian
singer 'took a risk' with his final performance of the night, but
according to Cowell it 'paid off'
Mel agreed. 'You are a superstar,' she added.
'I can't remember a contestant you sang and danced like that,' said Cheryl.
'Let
this moment sink in,' finished Simon. 'This is the moment you turned
from a contestant into a star... that is in the top three best
performances I have seen.'
Andreas came next with his second song of the night -an uplifting version of Miley Cyrus track Wrecking Ball.
'You always sing from the heart,' said Louis. 'You're like the people's diva - it's perfect.'
Simon
agreed. 'Tonight you took a huge risk with that song and it paid off,'
he told him. 'You could not have given any more with that performance -
well done.'
The X Factor continues on Sunday evening, ITV1 at 8:00pm.
Who's for the chop? Either Fleur, Lauren, Ben or Andreas will go on Sunday night's results show
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