X Factor shock sing-off: Sophie Habibis voted off

In a shock sing-off Misha B and Sophie Habibis were found in the bottom two as their unwell judge and mentor, Kelly Rowland, decided to vote off Sophie

In a shock sing-off Misha B and Sophie Habibis were found in the bottom two as their unwell mentor, Kelly Rowland, decided to vote off Sophie.

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Perhaps in an attempt to pull in the viewing figures, it was a weekend of drama for X factor.

Mentor Kelly Rowland was too unwell to judge, replaced by previous X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, Rhythmix were forced to change their name to Little Mix, and boy band The Risk lost their band member Ashley Baptiste and had to quickly draft in Ashford Campbell, of ousted band Nu Vibe.

Just when we thought we were up to speed with all the antics, it turned out two of our favourite acts Misha B and Sophie Habibis received the lowest public vote and were forced into a shock sing-off on Sunday's results show.

After performances from Nicole Scherzinger and last year's X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd, the finalists were lined up, to leave temporary judge, Alexandra Burke, left standing with all three of Kelly's girls - Janet Devlin, Misha B and Sophie Habibis - it was not a good week for Kelly Rowland to be ill.

Judge Gary Barlow was still left with his wannabe rock-star protégé, Frankie Cocosa, to leave the remaining final four.

After Janet and Frankie were saved by the public vote, Misha B and Sophie Habibis were forced to sing for their lives.

The two 19-year-old girls both put in heartfelt performances but Sophie's rendition of the XX's track Shelter was not enough to ensure her survival.

The feisty Misha B, who was once the favourite to win, opted to sing a soulful version of the Kings Of Leon song Use Somebody.

In a unanimous vote, all four judges decided to send home Sophie, including Kelly, who had to make the casting vote via a phone-in from LA.

The Destiny's Child Singer said, 'This is so hard because I know how bad you both want this.

'But I know that one of you wants it more and I have to be completely honest. The act that I'm sending home is Sophie.'

Kelly's vote confirmed Sophie was going home as both judges Louis Walsh and Tulisa chose the brunette to go before her, and when asked who he would have chosen, Gary Barlow simply answered: 'Sophie.'

On Saturday, Gary had said her Halloween themed performance of Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang was as 'dull as dishwater'.

The ex-barmaid still sounded determined after the news she was leaving began to sink in, saying, 'I'm going to continue working hard and prove why I shouldn't have left this competition tonight.'

Sophie's departure leaves nine remaining contestants, with Gary Barlow still left with all his acts: Marcus Collins, Craig Colton and Frankie.

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