X FACTOR WEEK 6: MATT, REBECCA AND CHER SHINE DURING ELTON JOHN NIGHT

After receiving a standing ovation last week, expectations were high as Matt took to the stage to sing Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, a challenging song even for his faultless falsetto.
Waltzing along on a cloud of dry ice, Matt hit those high notes with his usual panache and had the panel, the audience and no doubt the viewers at home going crazy.

“What a beautiful song choice,” beamed Cheryl. “Another fantastic performance… you keep getting stronger and stronger every week!”

Last night it was Rebecca’s turn to bring the show to a close and, as expected from this class act, she did it in true style!
There wasn’t a goose bump free arm or a dry eye in the house by the time the young mum had got through Elton’s tribute to Marilyn Monroe, Candle In The Wind.

“Sometimes on The X Factor we save the best ‘til last… we definitely saved the best til last tonight,” said Louis.

“You’re a true inspiration to all the single parents out there and the young mothers,” said a proud Cheryl. “Rebecca I’m behind you the whole way!”

After her high-octane, dancer-laden production last week, Cher returned to the stage tonight with a more stripped-back and emotional performance.
Singing Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, before moving on to a rap with Mocking Bird, the 17-year-old struck a balance between delivering a heartfelt vocal and her own unique swagger.

“It so worked tonight… absolutely brilliant,” screamed Louis.

“You are a little star in the making Cher and I’m privileged to be working alongside you,” said Cheryl, beaming with pride.

After a below par performance last week, the pressure was on Mary to perform as she took the stage with Can You Feel The Love Tonight.
Belting out the ballad with renewed passion, the diva from Dublin was back on form and firing on all cylinders.

“You are definitely getting your mojo back tonight,” said an impressed Dannii.

“I know you’re back Mary, because I can feel it in the room,” said Cheryl. “It’s nice to have the twinkle back in your eyes!”

After surviving the bottom two on three occasions, it’s clear that Katie’s not going out without a fight!
So it seemed apt that this week the 24-year-old returned to the stage to sing Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting, with a new sense of determination and some added rock star attitude.

Louis may have thought it was a “throw away performance”, but the rest of the panel were impressed with Katie’s comeback.

“I’m 100 percent happy I kept you in,” said Simon. “You’re not boring, you’re not predictable and you’ve got a fighters instinct and I like that.”

Excitement levels in the studio turned up another notch as the boy band of the moment took to the stage.
Singing Something About The Way You Look Tonight, the focus this week was on the lads’ vocals (oh, and maybe just a little bit on their lovely shiny hair and cute smiles).

Luckily for them, the boys proved that they don’t just look the part… they sound it too!

“I think you’re only going in one direction and that‘s the final,” said an impressed Louis.

“This is the first time in all the years of X Factor when I genuinely believe a group is gonna win this competition,” said a very smug Simon.
©ITV